Destinations 2027
Brazil
Ethiopia
Uganda
In the spring of 2027, we proudly celebrate the 37th edition of our trade mission, with three separate missions taking place this year.
Our delegations will travel to Brazil, Ethiopia and Uganda, with São Paulo, Addis Ababa and Kampala serving as their respective bases. The missions are currently expected to take place between early March and early April, with the exact dates to be confirmed.
These three destinations each offer distinct opportunities in dynamic and evolving markets. Together, they provide a diverse business landscape in which your company can explore new markets, identify opportunities and build valuable connections.
Trade Mission VUB offers Belgian companies the opportunity to expand their presence in emerging economies. Yearly, a team of around 30 master's students from various disciplines will execute company-specific assignments, guided by an experienced academic team and supported by Flanders Investment & Trade, the Belgian embassies at the destinations, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, and our network of Solvay Alumni.
Preparation begins in the summer preceding the mission, with the actual missions taking place over three weeks in the spring.
Students are assessed based on their final report, with varying levels of academic evaluation depending on their field of study, with business engineers and business & technologists undergoing a more demanding evaluation due to the master's thesis component.
Brazil
Location
São Paulo
Period
March - April 2027
Dates to be confirmed
Promising Sectors
Agriculture & Food Processing , Renewable Energy, Aerospace , Lifesciences & Healthcare, Automotive
Brazil combines the scale of Latin America’s largest economy with abundant natural resources, a diversified economy and a strong position in global food and energy markets. The country offers Belgian companies access to a large domestic consumer base, an established industrial sector and a rapidly developing services and technology ecosystem.
Brazil is entering an important phase of economic transformation, with investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, digitalisation and industrial development opening new opportunities across the economy. The phased implementation of the EU–Mercosur Trade Agreement is expected to further strengthen trade with the EU and improve access to international markets.
Brazil offers attractive long-term opportunities across a broad range of sectors. São Paulo stands as a major financial, industrial and technological hub, while agriculture and food processing, renewable energy, aerospace, life sciences and automotive manufacturing are among the country’s most promising sectors.
Ethiopia
Location
Addis Ababa
Period
March - April 2027
Dates to be confirmed
Promising Sectors
Agriculture & agri-food, Mining & Mineral Resources, Manufacturing & industrial development, ICT & Digital technologies, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Ethiopia’s large domestic market and strategic position in the Horn of Africa create promising opportunities for companies seeking growth in East Africa. As one of Africa’s most populous countries, Ethiopia combines a young workforce with access to regional markets and growing connectivity through Addis Ababa.
The government’s economic reform programme, launched in 2024, is gradually shifting the country towards a more open, private sector-led economy. Reforms in foreign exchange, trade, customs and the financial sector aim to improve competitiveness, facilitate investment and strengthen Ethiopia’s integration into regional and global markets.
Ethiopia is creating new opportunities for private investment. Addis Ababa stands as the country’s economic and business hub, while also serving as a major diplomatic centre and home to the African Union.
Agriculture and agri-food, renewable energy, and transport and logistics stand out as particularly promising sectors.
Uganda
Location
Kampala
Period
March - April 2027
Dates to be confirmed
Promising Sectors
IT, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Aerospace, Food processing,
Electronics & Semiconductors, Fintech
Uganda’s strategic location in the heart of the East African Community (EAC) creates promising opportunities for companies seeking growth in East Africa. Its membership in COMESA, IGAD and AfCFTA provides access to a combined regional market of hundreds of millions of consumers.
Uganda is entering an important phase of economic transformation as it transitions from a fuel importer to a crude oil exporter.
Under its Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), the government is pursuing sustainable industrialisation, with a focus on value addition, innovation and economic diversification.
With one of the world’s youngest populations and an economy developing at a fast pace, Uganda is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investment.
Oil & gas, agriculture and agro-industrialisation, mining, ICT & financial services, and tourism stand out as particularly promising sectors.