Paper short abstract:

Brazil is oneof the BRICS countries that haveincreased their economicinfluence in and development cooperation with Angola as an African partner. Thisraisesthe questions:Have asymmetries between the two countries in- or decreased? Is this newrelationship differentfromthe traditional donors in Angola?

Paper long abstract:

Many of the "emerging powers" that have recently assumed a more important international role have significantly increased their economic activities in Africa. Here, the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - receive most attention due to their economic and political relevance. Africa is considered the last region of the world where new markets are to be explored and political influence is to be gained. The continent is said to hold a vast economic potential.

Simultaneously, the "emerging powers" have sharpened their profiles as "new development partners" that distinguish themselves from the "traditional", Northern donors by engaging in South-South cooperation. Almost all new development partners have shown a substantial increase in their development cooperation activities in Africa. Many times, these appear to be motivated by economic interests to guarantee access to African markets and natural resources.

This paper investigates the relationship between Brazil, as one of the most dynamic BRICS countries, and Angola, as an important African partner country that is rich in resources. The paper evaluates whether the relationship develops in a horizontal manner, as Brazil claims is the case with South-South cooperation. It also focuses on the connection between Brazil´s development cooperation and its emerging economic interests. Here, the question builds on the tenets of dependency theory. The background question is this: Is it possible to identify differences between a Southern development partner and the "traditional" donors from the North regarding the donor's relations to a Southern partner country?