President Cyril Ramaphosa is undertaking a state visit to Brazil this week to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new economic opportunities between the two nations.
The visit follows an invitation from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and will focus on enhancing diplomatic, political and economic ties between the two countries.
South Africa and Brazil share historic ties built on friendship, shared African heritage and South-South cooperation. The relationship is anchored on the Declaration of Strategic Partnership, signed in 2010 and implemented through the South Africa-Brazil Joint Commission.
The state visit will prioritise several key areas, including strengthening cooperation in agribusiness, aerospace, creative industries, defence, energy, mining, science and technology, sport and tourism. Both leaders will also engage on shared geopolitical priorities as members of the Global South, including cooperation in BRICS, IBSA, the G77+China, the G20 and the United Nations.
Brazil, as the largest economy in Latin America, remains a key partner for South Africa’s engagement with the Latin America and Caribbean region.
Economic cooperation
Ramaphosa will address a South Africa-Brazil Business Forum aimed at promoting increased commercial collaboration. He will be accompanied by a business delegation representing the agribusiness, aerospace, chemicals, defence, energy, engineering, mining, maritime and pharmaceuticals sectors.
On the margins of the state visit, the president will engage with Brazilian business leaders to accelerate investments and explore opportunities South Africa offers.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Brazil reached R32.5 billion in 2025, with South African exports amounting to R5.2 billion and imports from Brazil totalling approximately R27.3 billion.
South Africa’s top exports to Brazil are chemicals, mineral products, machinery, iron and steel, and vehicles. Brazilian exports to South Africa include mineral products, live animals, machinery, vegetables, and iron and steel products.
The SACU-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement has supported steady growth of South African exports to Brazil and has opened opportunities for preferential market access for 1 500 product lines.
The visit will provide a platform to exchange views on how best to maximise the opportunities presented by the agreement and explore mechanisms to enhance and diversify trade between the two countries.
Brazilian investment in South Africa spans manufacturing, services, engineering, agriculture and aviation, whilst major South African companies are active in the Brazilian market in retail, pharmaceutical, extractive industry, paper, financial services and technology, and chemicals.
Tourism
Tourism is an expanding area of cooperation. Brazil ranked as South Africa’s ninth-largest source of international arrivals in 2025, supported by the resumption and expansion of direct flights between São Paulo and South Africa since 2023.
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande, Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille, Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, and senior government officials.
