The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Brasília, led by H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja, actively participated in the organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil in celebration of Africa Day 2026. The high-level seminar, held at the Itamaraty Palace, brought together diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, and institutions from Africa and Brazil to strengthen cooperation across trade, investment, culture, innovation, and multilateral engagement.
H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja represented Kenya during Panel V on Brazil-Africa Economic and Trade Relations: Rapprochement and Regional Integration Processes, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The panel featured distinguished speakers including Rui Mucaje, President of AfroChamber; Verônica Prates of Embraer; Rafael Lozano of TelCables Brasil; Paulo Roberto de Oliveira Araújo of Brazilian Development Bank; Daniel Franco, President of the Daniel Franco Institute; Paulo Pan of Beyond Africa Group; and Rui Pedro Afonso do Livramento from the AfCFTA Secretariat.
During the discussions, Ambassador Karanja highlighted Kenya’s position as a gateway to Africa’s rapidly growing market and emphasized the continent’s youthful population, expanding middle class, and increasing demand for investment in agribusiness, logistics, digital connectivity, infrastructure, aviation, and industrial development. He further underscored the importance of leveraging AfCFTA to deepen intra-African trade and create greater opportunities for Brazilian companies seeking partnerships in Africa.
The panel explored strategic areas of cooperation including aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, airport modernization, artificial intelligence, submarine cable connectivity between Africa and Latin America, livestock development, export financing, and technology transfer.
Kenya’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing economic diplomacy, South-South cooperation, and stronger Africa-Brazil partnerships for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
