OCTOBER 14th
Opening ceremony
João Bosco Monte | Founder and President of the Brazil Africa Institute
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
Guest of honor
Mauro Vieira | Minister of External Relations of Brazil
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
Special guest
Martin Mbeng | Ambassador of Cameroon and Dean of the African Heads of Mission in Brasília
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
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.
Roberto Rodrigues | Former Minister of Agriculture of Brazil
Henry Musa Kpaka | Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Sierra Leone (TBC)
Philippe Rubini | Chief Investment Officer da Fictor Group
Márcio Rodrigues | Executive Manager for New Markets at JBS
Gustavo Bastide Horbach | CEO of EuroChem
Cristina Costa | Technical Coordinator of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture in Brazil
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
Special guest speaker
Elmano de Freitas | Governor of the State of Ceará (TBC)
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
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
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
Lunch
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.
Silvio Costa Filho | Minister of Ports and Airports of Brazil (TBC)
Miguel Azevedo | Chairman of Investment Banking for Middle East and Africa at Citi
Moustapha Sow | Founder and Chairman of SF Capital
Mônica Monteiro | Senior Executive Advisor for Times CNBC Brazil and President of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance Brazil Chapter
Maria Auxiliadora Figueiredo | Ambassador of Brazil and Assistant Secretary to the São Paulo Municipal Secretary for International Relations
Ibraimo Abdul Carimo Issufo Ibraimo | Founding partner of Ernest and Young and Former Chairman of the Executive Board of Moza Bank
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
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.
Fatalla A F Elzuni | Minister of Youth of Libya (TBC)
Décio Lima | Director-President of SEBRAE
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
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
Welcoming cocktail
OCTOBER 15th
Keynote address
Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan | Cabinet member and Minister of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab
Emirates (TBC)
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
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
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.
Raul Jungmann | Executive-Director of the Brazilian Institute of Mining (IBRAM) (TBC)
Ronnie Ntuli | Founder and CEO of Thelo Group
Stephen Yeboah | Founder and CEO of Commodity Monitor Limited
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
Lunch
Changing Climate: Insights from the Global South
Over 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.
Wellington Dias |Minister of Social Development and Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger of Brazil (TBC)
Paulo Protasio | Executive Director of the Rio de Janeiro State Authority for Sustainable Development
Maria Beatriz Bley Martins Costa | CEO of Green Rio
Maria Tereza Umbelino | Founder and President of BMV Group
Jorge Chediek | Visiting Professor at Catholic University Argentina
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
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 of this session will be on aligning infrastructure investments with sustainability standards by strengthening governance indicators.
Organized by TRENDS Research & Advisory
Format: Side event | Room: X Room
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.
Luiz Claudio Moreira Lessa | President of Banco da Amazônia
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) (TBC)
Zemedeneh Negatu | Global Chairman of Fairfax Africa Fund
Natália Dias | Advisory Board Member of Din4mo Venture Building
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
Closing ceremony
Celso Amorim | Former Minister of External Relations of Brazil and Chief Advisor to the Presidency
Format: Plenary | Room: Ballroom
