PROGRAMME 2024 | Brazil Africa Forum 2024

OCTOBER 14th

09:00 - 09:30

Opening ceremony

João Bosco Monte | Founder and President of the Brazil Africa Institute

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

09:30 - 10:00

Guest of honor

Mauro Vieira | Minister of External Relations of Brazil

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

10:00 - 10:15

Special guest

Martin Mbeng | Ambassador of Cameroon and Dean of the African Heads of Mission in Brasília

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

10:15 - 11:00

Agro-Industry: Solving production and logistics challenges in Brazil-Africa food supply

Although Africa holds nearly 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land, it remains a net food importer, spending billions annually. The synergies between Brazil and Africa in agribusiness are significant, given their fertile land, favorable climates, and growing populations. Brazil, a leading agribusiness player, excels in productivity and crop yields, offering valuable expertise to Africa.

Gilberto António | Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Secretariat
of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Gustavo Bastide Horbach | CEO of EuroChem

Leila Zorzetto | Executive-Director of DISAM Group

Márcio Rodrigues | Executive Manager for New Markets at JBS

Philippe Rubini | Chief Investment Officer da Fictor Group

Roberto Rodrigues | Former Minister of Agriculture of Brazil

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

11:00 - 11:30

Special guest speaker

Elmano de Freitas | Governor of the State of Ceará (TBC)

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

11:30 - 12:30

Renewable Power: Building block for a sustainable energy future

The transition to renewable energy is essential for a sustainable future, particularly in Africa, where growing energy demand poses challenges for policymakers. Renewable sources reduce dependence on fossil fuels while fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and expanding access in remote areas. Brazil serves as a success story, with a diverse energy matrix largely based on hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass. Its experience underscores the importance of public policies, investment in technology and infrastructure, and public-private collaboration.

Enio Verri | Brazilian General Director of Itaipu Binacional

Carlos Lopes | Honorary Professor at Nelson Mandela School of Public
Governance, Faculty of Commerce, University of Cape Town

Paulo Gomes | Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Africa-South East Asia
Chamber of Commerce

Rodrigo Regis Galvão | Director of Energy Transition & Innovation at Alvarez & Marsal (TBC)

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

12:30 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:00

Public-Private Partnerships: Strategic tool for infrastructure investment

Brazil and many African countries face infrastructure deficits that hinder economic growth. Attracting private investment is crucial to meet rising demand. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) offer a powerful solution for channeling investment into bankable projects. When well-coordinated with regulatory frameworks, PPPs can help close the infrastructure investment gap sustainably.

Ibraimo Abdul Carimo Issufo Ibraimo | Founding partner of Ernest and Young and Former Chairman of the Executive Board of Moza Bank

Maria Auxiliadora Figueiredo | Ambassador of Brazil and Assistant Secretary to the São Paulo Municipal Secretary for International Relations

Miguel Azevedo | Chairman of Investment Banking for Middle East and Africa at Citi

Mônica Monteiro | Senior Executive Advisor for Times CNBC Brazil and President of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance Brazil Chapter

Moustapha Sow | Founder and Chairman of SF Capital

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

15:00 - 16:00

Artificial Intelligence: Boosting digital and financial inclusion

In the past decade, East Africa has led a digital and financial revolution, becoming the hub of mobile money. AI is now driving financial inclusion in Africa and Brazil, where traditional banking access is limited. Fintechs are using AI to serve underserved markets, creating start-up ecosystems, offering micro-credits, and personalized investments, overcoming the lack of banking infrastructure.

Décio Lima | Director-President of SEBRAE (TBC)

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali | CEO and Founder of TRENDS Research & Advisory

Nana Baffour | CEO and Chairman of Qintess

Michelle Chivunga | Founder and CEO of Global Policy House

Francisco Javier Trujillo Ramírez | Director of Las Palmas Port Authority

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

20:00 - 22:00

Welcoming cocktail

Sponsored by Fictor Group

OCTOBER 15th

10:00 - 10:30

Keynote address

Haytham El Maayergi | Executive Vice President for Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

10:30 - 11:00

Perspectives and opportunities between Brazil and Africa

Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte | Secretary for Africa and the Middle East of the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

11:00 - 12:00

Unearthing the Future: Global prospects and local challenges in the mining sectors

The future of mining in Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa is tied to the global shift toward sustainable energy, presenting both challenges and opportunities. These regions, rich in minerals vital for green technologies, can turn mining into a driver of sustainable development. However, this requires addressing infrastructure and sustainability challenges and ensuring equitable economic benefits. With the right policies, investments, and focus on sustainability, they can lead responsible mining in the global energy transition.

Cornelius Mweetwa | Minister of Information and Media of Zambia (TBC)

Lígia Pinto | Vice-President of Government and Institutional Relations of Sigma
Lithium

Luiz Cossa | Director of Sales & Operations at CXT-Comexport Group

Ronnie Ntuli | Founder and CEO of Thelo Group

Stephen Yeboah | Founder and CEO of Commodity Monitor Limited

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

12:00 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:00

Changing Climate: Insights from the Global South

More than 1.6 billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods. Recent studies show deforestation caused USD 78.6 billion in losses, with 10% of global carbon emissions coming from deforestation and degradation. The global south holds the largest tropical rainforests, home to over half of the world's biodiversity. Similarly, oceans and their ecosystems are vital, as coastal regions house over half of the global population and are highly vulnerable to climate change. Investment in the blue economy is crucial for a sustainable future in coastal urban centers.

Maria Beatriz Bley Martins Costa | CEO of Green Rio

Maria Tereza Umbelino | Founder and President of BMV Group

Paulo Protasio | Executive Director of the Rio de Janeiro State Authority for Sustainable Development

Zemedeneh Negatu | Global Chairman of Fairfax Africa Fund

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

14:00 - 15:00

Sustainable Prosperity: A governance approach to boosting investment in african infrastructure

In response to the African market’s growing appeal as a competitive destination for infrastructure investments, this symposium brings together thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore how governance can enhance the African business environment. The focus will be on aligning infrastructure investments with sustainability standards by strengthening governance indicators.

Organized by TRENDS Research & Advisory

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali | Founder and CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory

Dr. Hamad Al Kaabi | CEO of AlEtihad News Center

Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi | Senior Researcher and Deputy Head of Research sector at TRENDS Research & Advisory

Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaitii | Executive Advisor at The Supreme Council for National Security of the United Arab Emirates

Otaviano Canuto | Former Vice-President and Executive Director at the World Bank Group

Paulo Gomes | Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Africa-South East Asia Chamber of Commerce

Maria Auxiliadora Figueiredo | Assistant Secretary to the São Paulo Municipal Secretary for International Relations

Format: Side event | Room: X Room

15:00 - 16:00

The role of financial institutions in infrastructure investment and development

Financial institutions are crucial in supporting infrastructure development, especially post-COVID-19. Multilateral development banks and international finance institutions provide funding, technical expertise, policy support, and promote sustainability. Their efforts drive economic recovery, foster inclusive growth, create jobs, and improve access to essential services.

Otaviano Canuto | Former Vice-President and Executive Director at the World Bank Group

Armando Manuel | Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angola Sovereign Fund (FSDEA)

Luiz Claudio Moreira Lessa | President of Banco da Amazônia

Natália Dias | Advisory Board Member of Din4mo Venture Building

Haytham El Maayergi | Executive Vice President for Global Trade Bank at
Afreximbank

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom

16:00 - 16:30

Closing ceremony

Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom