Brazil is a country with continental dimensions and the world’s fifth-biggest population, with 207 million inhabitants. It covers an area of 8.5 million km², bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the East, while the West is home to two thirds of the Amazonian forest with its exceptional natural resources and biodiversity: it accounts for 20% of the world’s fresh water resources and 14% of all known species have been recorded there. In the North, its border with the French department of Guiana spans 730 km, making Brazil the country with which France has the longest land border.
In the 2000s, Brazil enjoyed an economic boom, leading it to become the eighth-largest economy in the world. Its growth is based on a large domestic market (its middle class comprises nearly 100 million people) and a diversified economy: the world’s third largest producer of agricultural products, one of the leading exporters of mining products, strong industry and modern services. The country is one of the major emerging powers brought together by the BRICS group.
But the Latin American giant went through a severe recession from 2015 to 2017, deteriorating its economic situation, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which had a devastating impact on the social fabric. In a post-pandemic environment, it must now return to a growth model that combines economic vitality, environmental protection and social inclusion. Amid the numerous geopolitical divisions in the world today, Brazil is pursuing an active policy to return to the “community of nations”. It has been proactive in negotiations on trade and climate regimes and has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by keeping in check the deforestation of the Amazon – which is its main source of greenhouse gas emissions – while maintaining a low-carbon energy matrix and improving the quality of basic services for its people.
AFD has been active in Latin America since 2007 and works in Brazil to promote a sustainable and inclusive development model, with a focus on climate mitigation and social inclusion. From its Brazil-Southern Cone Regional Office based in Brasilia, AFD focuses on a partnership-based approach, bringing together Brazilian and French stakeholders on matters of common interest. It has a wide variety of operating methods based on an optimal “Group” approach: financing projects with various stakeholders – Union, federal states, municipalities, financial institutions and public companies – in support of public policies (AFD), supporting the development of the private sector and infrastructure (Proparco and STOA) and providing technical expertise (Expertise France).
AFD’s Brazil office is directly attached to the Brazil-Southern Cone regional office.
