Security and Defence in Africa: Characteristics, Changes and Impacts on Brazil’s Strategic Surroundings

The Project “Security and Defence in Africa: Characteristics, Changes and Impacts on Brazil's Strategic Surroundings” aims to analyse the security and defence dynamics of the African continent, focusing on their impacts on Brazil. The research investigates the main security and defence structures, characteristics, and policies in Africa, their repercussions on the Brazilian Strategic Surroundings, and the potential courses of action for Brazil across different scenarios.

Interdisciplinary in nature, the project brings together Brazilian civil and military institutions, including PPGRI/UFSM, PPGCP/UFRGS, PPGM/ECEME, and PPGGEO/UFRR, alongside international partners in South Africa, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Canada, Argentina, among others.The research seeks to understand geopolitical dynamics, strategic partnerships, and defence policies on the African continent, assessing their impacts on Brazil and exploring alternatives for the country's strategic engagement in the region.

Spanning 60 months (2024–2029), the project aims to strengthen academic and technical training in defence-related topics by promoting international seminars, scientific articles, and the qualification of Master’s, PhD, and post-doctoral researchers.Furthermore, it seeks to consolidate the African Studies Network on Security and Defence (AFRICANET), contributing to the advancement of academic-scientific research and the formulation of public policies focused on National Defence.

The project is supported by the Programme for the Support of Teaching and Scientific and Technological Research in National Defence (Pró-Defesa V)a partnership between Brazil’s Ministry of Defence (MD) and the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES).