African Development Bank and Brazil Launch New Development Partnership

Paulo de Souza Amado said the partnership creates a foundation for structural transformation, capacity building, expanded South-South cooperation and greater mobilisation of expertise and resources.

The African Development Bank Group and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency have signed a new partnership agreement to strengthen cooperation across several key development sectors, including agriculture, health, climate resilience, and private-sector growth throughout Africa.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Abidjan on 12 June by Martin Fregene, representing the African Development Bank Group, and Paulo de Souza Amado, Charge d'Affaires of Brazil's Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire, on behalf of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency.

The partnership brings together the Bank's financing capacity and regional reach with Brazil's practical experience in areas such as tropical agriculture, renewable energy, public healthcare systems, skills training and enterprise development. Both organisations plan to work together to expand proven solutions that can address some of Africa's most pressing economic and social challenges.

Five Priority Areas Identified for Cooperation

Agriculture will be a central focus, with projects supporting climate-smart farming, irrigation systems, mechanisation, agro-processing, agricultural businesses and research initiatives designed to improve food production and strengthen rural economies. In the health sector, the partnership will promote stronger healthcare systems, workforce development, digital health technologies and bio-manufacturing capabilities, including the production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

The agreement also seeks to increase support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises while encouraging stronger commercial links between African and Brazilian businesses. Renewable energy, bioenergy development, carbon markets and nature-based climate solutions have also been identified as areas for future cooperation.

Education and workforce development form another key pillar of the partnership, with plans to support technical and vocational training, higher education modernisation, innovation programmes and youth entrepreneurship initiatives.

Building on Decades of Collaboration

Officials from both sides described the agreement as a long-term commitment designed to strengthen cooperation beyond individual projects.

Paulo de Souza Amado said the partnership creates a foundation for structural transformation, capacity building, expanded South-South cooperation and greater mobilisation of expertise and resources. Fregene noted that many of Africa's current priorities, including food security, climate adaptation, healthcare improvement and job creation, align closely with areas where Brazil has developed valuable experience and knowledge.

Brazil has been a non-regional member of the African Development Bank Group since 1982, and the new agreement builds on decades of collaboration through initiatives such as the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund and joint agricultural programmes involving the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.

The partnership also supports the African Development Bank Group's strategic priorities under President Sidi Ould Tah, which focus on expanding development finance, strengthening partnerships, improving resilience and delivering measurable improvements in people's lives, with particular attention to creating opportunities for women and young people across the continent.