South African Women-Owned Defence Companies Explore Business Opportunities in Brazil
A delegation of women-owned South African companies in the defence and aerospace sector undertook a trade and investment mission to São Paulo, Brazil, from 13–15 August 2026, with the support of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).
The mission brought together South African business leaders seeking to expand commercial partnerships, market access and investment opportunities in Brazil and the wider Latin American market.
South African Defence Companies Engage Brazilian Industry
The delegation included Dr Khulile Mtsetfwa, CEO of Swarek Defence & Aerospace, and Ms Zama Ledidi, Managing Director of Unipro Protective Wear, who participated in a programme of business meetings, industry engagements and site visits.
Among the key engagements were meetings with Embraer, one of Brazil’s leading aerospace companies, as well as discussions with various Brazilian companies operating across the defence, aerospace and security sectors.
The delegation also attended the COP International Fair 2026, one of Latin America’s major public security exhibitions. The event provided an important platform for the South African companies to engage with international industry players, explore technologies and identify potential commercial partnerships.
The visit highlighted the growing opportunities for South African companies to participate in global defence and security value chains while positioning South Africa as an important gateway to the broader African market.
Opportunities for South Africa–Brazil Business Partnerships
The delegation identified a number of promising opportunities during its engagements in São Paulo. These include potential partnerships, market access opportunities and areas for cooperation between South African and Brazilian companies.
The expectation is that the engagements will develop into mutually beneficial commercial relationships, contributing to increased trade and investment between the two countries.
The Consulate-General has indicated its continued support for initiatives that promote business-to-business engagement and strengthen bilateral economic relations under the Brazil–South Africa Strategic Partnership.
South Africa–Brazil Mining and Minerals Trade Mission
Alongside the defence and aerospace delegation, a separate South African business delegation undertook a mining and minerals trade mission to Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, from 13–15 August.
The Consulate-General hosted a delegation of seven South African companies operating in the mining and minerals, capital equipment, machinery and related technology sectors, with support from dtic.
Belo Horizonte, located in Minas Gerais, is at the heart of Brazil’s mining industry and provided an important base for the South African companies to explore commercial opportunities in one of the world’s major mining markets.
Mining Technology and Engineering Opportunities
The delegation engaged with leading Brazilian mining and engineering companies, including companies working on innovative technologies such as generative artificial intelligence for mining.
The programme also included engagements with Anglo American and Multotec, a South African company that has established operations in Brazil’s lithium mining sector.
A series of business-to-business meetings further enabled the participating companies to identify opportunities for commercial partnerships, investment and technology cooperation.
Brazil’s Mining Investment Cycle Creates New Opportunities
The mission comes at a significant period for Brazil’s mining sector, which is entering a major investment cycle.
According to the information shared as part of the mission, investment in iron ore and regional mining projects is estimated at around US$20 billion, within the broader US$76.9 billion 2026–2030 investment outlook identified by IBRAM.
This investment environment creates opportunities for South African expertise in mining technology, capital equipment, engineering, mineral processing and related services.
For South Africa, deeper engagement with Brazil’s mining industry could create opportunities for companies to expand their international footprint while contributing to stronger bilateral economic ties.
Strengthening South Africa–Brazil Economic Relations
The parallel trade missions demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available to South African businesses in the Brazilian market, spanning defence and aerospace, public security, mining, engineering, machinery and advanced technology.
The engagements also reinforce the importance of business-to-business diplomacy in strengthening South Africa–Brazil economic relations.
As South African companies continue to explore international markets, Brazil presents opportunities not only as a major economy in its own right, but also as a strategic partner for expanding cooperation across sectors of mutual interest.
For Brazilian businesses, South Africa offers access to a sophisticated industrial base and serves as a gateway into the wider African market. Continued trade missions, B2B engagements and institutional support can therefore play an important role in translating these opportunities into long-term commercial partnerships.
The August 2026 missions provide a further foundation for deepening economic cooperation between South Africa and Brazil, with the potential to generate new trade, investment, technology and market-access opportunities for businesses in both countries.
