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Virtual Exhibit Hall
Are we speaking the same language? A comparison between Brazilian relations with African Portuguese-speaking and non-Portuguese-speaking countries
Fri, November 17, 5:15 to 6:45pm, TBAAbstract
Brazil and most of Africa share many social and historical aspects: European powers colonized both; their population suffered with the international slave trade; after independence, they still had lower levels of development than their former colonizers. However, these connections are even tier between Brazil and Portuguese-speaking African countries since they share a language. Most studies assume that due to historical references, Portuguese-speaking African countries receive more attention in Brazilian foreign policy than non-Portuguese-speaking African countries. Nevertheless, the literature lacks a deeper comparison between Brazilian cooperation with former Portuguese colonies and other African countries. Brazil has tremendous potential to endure an economic connection between Africa and Latin America as a large economy geographically near Africa. A deeper comprehension of the Brazilian presence in Africa is crucial to understand the potentiality of any rapprochement between the two continents. Thus, this study analyzed data on commerce and authorized aid and gathered information on official visits and cooperation projects. I did not find a significant difference between Portuguese and non-Portuguese African countries regarding the commercial exchange with Brazil. However, some Brazilian presidents give more primacy to Portuguese-Speaking countries in terms of official discourse and political commitment. Jair Bolsonaro's mandate emerged as an exception once the African continent lost its prominence in Brazilian foreign policy. I also found closer proximity in scientific and educational cooperation between Brazil and Portuguese-speaking countries. Overall, Angola has a distinctive position among Brazilian foreign priorities compared to other Portuguese-speaking countries. Yet, China's rampant participation in Angola's exports eroded Brazilian participation.