Commissioner Síkela concludes Global Gateway investment mission to Brazil

Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela's mission to Brazil was about strengthening the EU-Brazil partnership through Global Gateway, the EU's strategy for investing in joint projects in critical raw materials, sustainable transport, digital technology and clean energy.

Over six days, Commissioner Síkela visited four Brazilian states and two projects, opened two EU-Brazil forums, and met a wide range of business and political leaders, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The mission was also about momentum: using the opening created by the EU-Mercosur trade agreement to turn the EU-Brazil relationship into investment in concrete projects.

Connectivity

The main announcement during the Commissioner's visit was a new Global Gateway investment worth €260.8 million in the EllaLink digital corridor, the direct high-capacity fibre-optic connection between Europe and Latin America.

EllaLink allows data to travel directly between the two regions instead of being routed through North America. The EU contribution will support the elements that make this infrastructure smart, secure and future-oriented: SMART Nodes, resilience of data and services, cybersecurity, and environmental and climate monitoring along the route.

Another announcement will bring reliable connectivity to remote communities in the Amazon that are still not reached. Working with the Manaus institute INDT, and with Nokia and Hispasat, this will allow connecting five remote communities in Amazonas and prepare the ground for scaling this model across the region. It will connect communities to education, health services, public administration and new economic opportunities including new jobs.

Energy

During Commissioner Síkela's visit, the EU and Brazil moved forward their cooperation on green hydrogen.

One significant investment concerns a flagship project, the North-East Green Energy Park, which can turn Brazil's renewable energy into green hydrogen, ammonia and green steel, with Green Shipping Corridors linking Brazil and Europe. Through H2Uppp, implemented with GIZ, the EU is investing €3 million to help promising green hydrogen projects move from concept to financing. Eight projects from the first phase are now preparing full proposals, with the first contracts expected this autumn. During the Commissioner's mission, the next phase was announced.

Women empowerment in Amazon

Commissioner Sikela also announced a grant focused on Indigenous women's rights in the Amazon. This forest is critical for climate stabilisation for the world and for people living there. Indigenous women are very often the ones holding the line for their communities and their territories. The EU is backing them directly. The project Cunhaintá Kirimbawasá - the strength of women - will be run by ANMIGA and the Fundação Luterana de Diaconia over three years. It will strengthen the leadership and political voice of Indigenous women across the Amazon, supporting 25 organisations and reaching 50 Indigenous Peoples.

Visits

In São Paulo, Commissioner Síkela visited Metro Line 6, one of the largest infrastructure projects currently under construction in Latin America, which will significantly improve the city's mobility. It is being built by a consortium of European companies, while the European Commission is exploring support to its extension together with EIB. The Commissioner also held discussions with European companies and financial institutions active in Brazil.

In Minas Gerais, he visited the Colossus Project rare earths mining site and demonstration plant. This project is one of the four priority projects selected under the EU-Brazil CRM Task Force to accelerate work on secure and sustainable supply chains.

In Rio de Janeiro, Commissioner Síkela opened the EU-supported Future Affairs Forum together with Márcio Fernando Elias Rosa, Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services . The Forum serves to deepen EU-Brazil partnership on digital transformation and technology.

In Brasília, the Commissioner opened the 2nd EU-Brazil Investment Forum together with . He also held a number of meetings with senior representatives of the Brazilian government, including the Minister of Presidency, Miriam Belchior.

Commissioner Síkela said: "This mission was about turning partnership into investment. Through Global Gateway, the European Union is working with Brazil on projects that improve people's lives, strengthen competitiveness and support the sustainable and digital transition."

"From Metro Line 6 in São Paulo to cooperation on critical raw materials in Minas Gerais, we see how European investment can deliver tangible results. Our objective is clear: to build sustainable value chains, create quality jobs and support industrial opportunities in Brazil and in the EU by strengthening our long-term partnership."

The Global Gateway Strategy

The Global Gateway strategy represents the EU's commitment to reducing global investment gaps by fostering sustainable connections in digital, energy, and transport sectors while strengthening education and research systems. It has already mobilised over €300 billion in public and private investments, focusing on sustainable growth and resilient partnerships.

The European Union has committed a €10 billion Global Gateway Investment Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil is a central partner in this effort and a key destination for future Team Europe investments.

More information

Brazil - International Partnerships - European Commission