Ethiopia–Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum 2026: A New Chapter for South–South Partnership

6 February 2026 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Venue: Skylight Hotel by Samson Tsedeke

The 2026 Ethiopia–Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum convened more than 130 Brazilian companies and delegates in Addis Ababa—one of the largest Brazilian business missions to the Horn of Africa to date. Hosted at the Skylight Hotel, the forum underscored the growing strategic alignment between the two countries in agriculture, logistics, energy, and industrial development.

The program brought together senior policymakers, development institutions, and leading private firms, setting the stage for deeper commercial and technological collaboration. For Ethiopia, the event comes at a pivotal moment as the country advances toward WTO accession, deepens engagement as a new BRICS member, and accelerates its industrial and logistics transformation agenda.

1. Strategic Signals: Ethiopia and Brazil Strengthening Economic Ties

Institutional leaders from both governments highlighted the importance of long-term cooperation. Speakers included senior representatives from:

Ethiopian Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ethiopian Investment Commission ApexBrasil Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) Brazilian Agricultural and Livestock Associations

Their messages converged on one theme: Brazil’s development trajectory offers critical lessons and opportunities for Ethiopia’s structural transformation.

Official Agreements Signed

A formal signing session reinforced this intent, including:

ApexBrasil–EIC Cooperation Framework Letter of Intent between the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries

These instruments open pathways for coordinated investment promotion, joint value-chain development, and agricultural innovation partnerships.

2. Sector Sessions: Agriculture, Logistics, Energy & Industrial Collaboration

The day-long sessions brought substantive technical discussions across four core pillars:

Agriculture and Agro-Industry

Brazil’s globally recognized expertise in:

Tropical agriculture Livestock breeding Sugarcane ethanol Soybean and poultry value chains Coffee science and specialty production

was a major draw for Ethiopian policymakers and agribusiness firms. Embrapa and sector associations presented scalable models for Ethiopia’s highland and lowland ecosystems.

Logistics & Energy Transition

Sessions explored:

Aviation and cargo infrastructure Industrial park connectivity Renewable energy integration Bioethanol and biofuel technologies

Infraero and Embraer specialists exchanged insights relevant to Ethiopia’s rapidly expanding logistics infrastructure and green-transition agenda.

Private Sector Engagement

Over 130 Brazilian companies held B2B meetings with Ethiopian firms across:

Manufacturing and industrial inputs Food and beverage Automotive components Renewable energy ICT and digital services

The strong turnout signals rising private-sector confidence in Ethiopia’s emerging market prospects.

3. Ethiopia’s Advantage: Market Access, Industrial Capacity, and Regional Integration

WTO Accession Momentum

As Ethiopia progresses toward finalizing its accession to the World Trade Organization, market predictability, tariff transparency, and investment protection frameworks are improving. For Brazilian investors, this provides:

Clearer trade rules Stronger IP protection Predictable customs procedures Improved dispute-resolution mechanisms

BRICS Membership

Ethiopia’s recent BRICS membership further elevates economic diplomacy and South–South cooperation. For Brazil, this creates a structured platform for:

Coordinated investment in agro-industry Technology transfer programs Trade facilitation through BRICS financial institutions Joint industrial and R&D initiatives

Regional Market Access

From Ethiopia, Brazilian investors gain entry to:

A domestic market of 120 million consumers Duty-free access to East Africa Preferential markets under AfCFTA

This positions Ethiopia as a gateway hub for manufacturing and industrial processing geared toward Africa’s fastest-growing markets.

4. Technology Transfer & Knowledge Sharing: A Core Opportunity

Brazil’s agricultural modernization was driven by technology, applied science, and coordinated extension systems. Ethiopia stands to benefit from Brazilian experience in:

Agro-industrial clustering Biofuel and ethanol systems Seed development and livestock genetics Large-scale farm mechanization Agrologistics and cold-chain systems

Similarly, Brazilian companies are exploring opportunities in:

Hospital management technologies Digital payment ecosystems Manufacturing automation Aviation training and MRO expansion Food-processing equipment

These knowledge-sharing channels create long-term structural value beyond short-term transactions.

5. Technical Visits: Ground-Level Insights for Investors

The February 7th program hosted technical tours to:

Bole Lemi and Kilinto Industrial Parks Queen’s Supermarket and distribution operations

Delegates examined Ethiopia’s industrial park infrastructure, investment incentives, workforce capacity, and logistics facilities—reinforcing the country’s competitiveness in manufacturing, processing, and retail-market expansion.

6. Looking Forward: A Stronger Ethiopia–Brazil Economic Future

The Ethiopia–Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum marks a renewed phase in bilateral relations. With formal agreements signed, deep private-sector engagement, and robust government support, both countries are positioned to expand cooperation in:

Agriculture and agri-processing Renewable energy and biofuels Industrial production Aviation and logistics Technology and digital solutions

As Ethiopia stands at the intersection of WTO accession, BRICS integration, and continental market expansion, the timing for Brazil–Ethiopia collaboration could not be more strategic.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 Ethiopia–Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum is an encouraging step toward building a long-term strategic partnership. With formal agreements signed, active private-sector participation, and high-level government support, both countries are well positioned to expand trade, technology exchange, and investment across multiple sectors.

Exciting opportunities lie ahead for Ethiopian and Brazilian businesses ready to collaborate and innovate together.