Brazil - Angola Relations: The South Atlantic Perspective

• In Event: Brazil and China in Africa: South-South Engagement in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

Brazil has played an important role in Portuguese speaking Africa and especially in Angola. Brazilian multinationals have been present in Angola since its independence and there is an increasing flow of Angolan nationals and capital to Brazil. While both countries maintain cordial relations they acknowledge global and regional factors which keep them apart.

The South Atlantic region is becoming an increasingly important area for economic, security and geopolitical reasons. Brazil and Angola have major stakes in this region and, together with several other Portuguese speaking countries, will seek to project their leadership and protect their interests in both bilateral and multilateral fora. Though this topic has been initially limited to military and diplomatic circles it is likely that private sector and civil society actors will become increasingly more involved in policy discussions regarding this region.

Author

• Joseph C Marques, Geneva School of Diplomacy