Brazil domestic woes set back ambitious Africa policy

Significance

The case investigates whether Lula illegally used his overseas connections to assist Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which has considerable African investments. Expanding influence into Africa began under Lula. It has since been at the heart of Brazil's broader push to advance its global and regional credentials. The economic slowdown raised doubts about its ability to sustain this push. The Petrobras corruption scandal has accelerated such scepticism, threatening to reduce significantly the scope of Brazil's foreign policy in the region.

Impacts

• Ties with smaller Lusophone states in West Africa prioritise security, reflecting that sub-region's geostrategic position for Brazil.
• Brazil plays prominent international law and justice roles in those states but through UN structures -- limiting the financial impact.
• Brazil's small military capacity constrains its scope to rebuff US military presence in the smaller Lusophone states.