Zambia has moved to formalize economic ties with Brazil by proposing a state-level Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Tocantins. According to the Lusaka Times, this initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of the Grow Zambia Agenda through collaborative research, easier trade processes, and shared technical knowledge. The proposal was presented during bilateral discussions in Palmas, Brazil, where Zambian officials outlined specific investment opportunities for Brazilian partners.
Lieutenant General Sitali Alibuzwi, the Zambian Ambassador to Brazil, stated that the country is prepared to establish formal linkages with Tocantins to drive economic growth. He highlighted Zambia’s status as Africa’s largest fertiliser producer and pointed to well-planned farm blocks and Multi-Facility Economic Zones as key assets for investors. The ambassador also emphasized opportunities in critical minerals for electric vehicle batteries and the nation’s expanding solar, hydro, and biomass energy capabilities. To attract capital, he noted that the country provides legal protections for investors, including safeguards against asset seizure, the ability to send profits home, and reduced import taxes on machinery.
The Lusaka Times reported that Ambassador Alibuzwi underscored the reach of the regional market, which exceeds 600 million people through the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. In response, Frederico Sodré dos Santos, the Tocantins State Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock, expressed interest in collaborating on animal disease eradication, bioenergy, and infrastructure. He indicated that Tocantins was willing to share its technical knowledge, especially regarding livestock management, to help Zambia achieve its goal of becoming a continental food basket.
The Grow Zambia Agenda itself is a national strategy that sets specific production targets for key commodities. According to a detailed explanation published in the Lusaka Times, the agenda includes goals such as producing 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000 megawatts of power, and 3 million tonnes of copper. It also targets 3 million tonnes of soya beans, 1 million tonnes of wheat, 1 million tonnes of sugar, and US$1 billion in beef exports. The strategy is framed as a mechanism to reduce import dependence, create jobs in mining and manufacturing, and increase foreign exchange earnings through exports to neighboring countries and beyond.