Official trip to Egypt and Ethiopia is on President Lula’s agenda next week

Next week, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will make the second official trip of his current term to Africa. The journey is going to include meetings in Egypt on February 14 and 15, and in Ethiopia, from February 16 to 18. In the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Lula will take part as a guest at the 37th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

In a press briefing this Wednesday, February 7, at the Itamaraty Palace, Ambassador Carlos Duarte—Secretary of Africa and the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—offered more information about Lula’s agenda in Egypt and Ethiopia, countries that, with Brazil’s support, have both become members of BRICS this year. The invitation to visit Egypt, explained the Ambassador, was made to Lula by President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi even before the Brazilian president’s inauguration.

“While still president-elect, Lula was invited by President Sisi to go to COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The president attended and there announced the guidelines of his foreign policy—Brazil's return to international forums and reconfigured priorities. The trip also highlighted the 100 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Egypt, celebrated this year,” said Duarte.

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE - Expanding relations with Egypt—one of the largest and most influential countries in Africa and among Arab nations—is one of Brazilian diplomacy’s strategic actions. Dialogue between the two countries has been strengthened over recent months over negotiations to repatriate Brazilian citizens from Gaza. The group was able to return after crossing into Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

“Egypt is an important player in the region. The dialogue towards repatriation of the Brazilians took place at various levels. This circumstance made the relationship even more important,” added Duarte, who also highlighted that the country is one of Brazil's main trading partners in Africa. “It is a strong and diversified trade, especially in agricultural products.”

The Egyptian government is expected to soon approve new importation of beef from Brazil. In 2023, Egypt opened its market to several Brazilian products—such as fish, poultry, cotton, gelatin and collagen. A new air route between the two countries, connecting São Paulo and Cairo, will also be discussed.

AFRICAN UNION - President Lula is also going to make a state visit to Ethiopia, in addition to participating in the African Union Summit. The headquarters of the entity—which became an official member of the G20 in 2024, with support from Brazil— are in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Because of the participation of dozens of heads of state and government in the summit, Lula has invitations to several bilateral meetings, which have yet to be confirmed.

“Ethiopia is another country with which Brazil can develop stronger trade. It has been growing economically in a strong and significant way and is an important market. Brazil can benefit from greater presence in Ethiopia,” explained the Ambassador.

According to Duarte, the invitation to the African Union Summit is a sign of prestige, since usually only African governments take part in this event. “It is recognition of the priority that the President has been giving to Africa in his foreign policy,” he highlighted.

Another important aspect is the convergence between Brazil and African nations on the three priorities that guide the Brazilian presidency of the G20: the fight against inequality and hunger; sustainability and energy transition; and reform of international organizations to allow greater participation of developing countries in the global decision-making system.