Embrapa's Technical Cooperation Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

24 March 2026. Gates Foundation and Embrapa discuss South-South sustainable development projects

Researchers from Embrapa and the Gates Foundation (GF) participated in a workshop held on March 17 and 18 in Brasília to coordinate activities regarding the South-South Cooperation Agreement for Agricultural Sustainability. The initiative, the first stage of bilateral cooperation following COP30, identified areas that will serve as a starting point to bring Embrapa’s research in line with the priorities of the U.S. institution.

The initiative is part of an agreement between the Gates Foundation and Embrapa, which sets targets to strengthen the South’s presence in global forums by 2027, and provides for South-South exchange activities, technical events, communication activities concerning regional cooperation, and the identification of opportunities to develop joint Brazil-Africa research, technology and training projects. 

The goals of the meeting, which was coordinated by the Advisory Service for International Relations (Arin), include the identification of opportunities for South-South cooperation to strengthen ties between Embrapa and organizations in African countries, the integration of research networks, and strategic alignment through the establishment of shared schedules for global forums and events.

The following topics were identified as priorities for discussion: 

• rice and cassava; 
• dairy farming; 
• soil biofertilizers, 
• bio-inputs and bio-products; 
• food security; 
• and cross-cutting issues, particularly technology transfer and licensing. 

Representatives from Embrapa Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Embrapa Semiarid, Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, Embrapa Agrobiology, Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, Embrapa Rice and Beans, Embrapa Cerrados and Embrapa Maranhão, centers whose research relates to the initial agenda, had an in-person participation, as well as José Ednilson Miranda, Embrapa’s representative at the Office of Technical Cooperation for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

José Ednilson Miranda highlighted the interest in technologies concerning digital agriculture, Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (ZARC), digital platforms, Ater+Digital, and the e-Campo learning platform. “They are resources that can benefit several African countries whose needs resemble those Embrapa has been addressing; therefore, the proposal is to develop infrastructure projects in which Embrapa is the technical implementer and the Gates Foundation the aid agency and facilitator in the African continent,”

The participants from the CGIAR, were Namukolo Covic, head of International Relations for Africa, Gatachew Feye, representing Ethiopia's general director, and Million Gebreyes, from CGIAR's Scaling for Impact program.

Related:

6 February 2026. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) officially inaugurated a Technical Cooperation Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

This initiative marks Embrapa's return to the African continent and is part of a broader strategy by the Brazilian government to enhance agricultural collaboration, technology transfer, and South-South cooperation, particularly with the African Union, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa.

The Brazilian government sees in the agricultural sector the greatest opportunities to more easily reach the 54 African countries. 

“Ethiopia is now the diplomatic hub of African countries. We chose Addis Ababa for a reason. Here we have the headquarters of the African Union, as well as offices of the World Bank and the African Development Bank. It is the right place for us to connect with potential partners,”  “Addis Ababa is a hub, and we intend to reach other African countries from here. The demand is huge,” José Ednilson Miranda, head of Embrapa’s local office.

• Inauguration: The office was inaugurated by Embrapa President Silvia Massruhá and the Director of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), Ambassador Ruy Pereira.
• Location & Purpose: Located in Ethiopia’s capital—a major diplomatic hub—the office aims to facilitate the exchange of tropical agriculture technology, covering areas such as genetics, animal nutrition, and sustainable low-carbon livestock production.
• Partnerships: The office works with local partners such as the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute (EIAR) and private entities like the Kerchanshe Group, with whom they signed a landmark agreement for coffee technology development.
• Strategic Role: Jose Ednilson Miranda, an experienced Embrapa researcher, was appointed to lead the office, which will also support preparations for technical collaboration in upcoming international forums, including COP-32.

This move follows a push to strengthen Brazil-Africa ties and focus on sustainable, climate-smart agriculture in regions with similar climate conditions to Brazil.