Monte: South-south cooperation key to Africa’s development agenda

The President of Brazil Africa Institute, João Bosco Monte, emphasized the significance of leveraging opportunities in south-south collaborations to propel Africa's development agenda forward. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Monte discussed how exchanges and knowledge transfer between Brazil and Africa, particularly in the field of agriculture, can provide valuable insights on achieving food security and other developmental goals for the continent. He highlighted initiatives such as the Youth Technical Training Program (YTTP), aimed at capacity building for young Africans through technical training in various sectors where Brazil excels. Monte outlined ambitious plans to bring 1,000 young Africans to Brazil by 2024 for specialized training in agriculture, health, education, ICT, and more, with a focus on addressing food insecurity. Reflecting on Brazil's transformation from a food importer to one of the world's major food producers, Monte underscored the potential for Africa to replicate this success through strategic partnerships and youth empowerment. The YTTP, which includes collaborations with institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria, prioritizes gender balance, age diversity, and regional representation in its selection process, ensuring a holistic approach to capacity building. Monte also highlighted the importance of south-south cooperation as a catalyst for mutual learning and growth between countries from the global south. He advocated for a shift towards triangular cooperation, involving partners from other regions like the Middle East, to enhance resources and support for developmental initiatives. Monte's advocacy for collaborative approaches grounded in shared expertise and comparative advantages signals a promising path towards accelerating Africa's development agenda through innovation and knowledge exchange.