Brazil's Africa policy: Continuities and changes

Abstract

Brazilian foreign policy has been on an upward swing since the turn of the century. Africa, both ideologically and strategically gained a high priority status in Itamaraty’s larger foreign policy framework when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva came to power in 2003. The trade relations boomed, and diplomatic presence improved considerably in the first-decade of this century. However, since last couple of years, there has been a policy paralysis from the Brazilian administration vis-a-vis its African policy. The ongoing economic and political turmoil have made foreign policy a lesser priority for Brasilia. Brazil being a regional power with global ambitions, cannot ignore Africa and the diplomatic progress that it has made since the early 2000s. This paper discusses the current state of affairs between Brazil and Africa and the need for a policy revival in Africa to protect and nurture Brasilia’s long-term regional and global interests.