The initiative visits Benin, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia between January and February 2026. This strategic action aims to connect the Brazilian converted plastics industry to markets growing up to 8.3% per year.
Think Plastic Brazil — the portfolio of solutions for the converted plastics products sector in the internationalization process for target markets, carried out through a partnership between ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and the INP (Brazilian Plastic Institute) — consolidates its presence on the African continent with the Trade Mission to East Africa. From January 29 to February 6, 2026, the delegation will travel through the following capitals: Cotonou (Benin), Nairobi (Kenya), Kigali (Rwanda), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
Unlike previous editions, the 2026 mission focuses on competitive intelligence and direct prospecting. The goal is to present the competitive differential of Brazilian products through the Yearbook, a catalog featuring Brazilian companies in the converted plastics sector, divided into six verticals: Agribusiness, Toys and Childcare, Civil Construction, Packaging, Inputs for the Converting Industry, and Housewares. In addition, the agenda includes participation in technical seminars with local authorities and site visits to retail outlets to identify immediate matchmaking opportunities.
High-Growth Markets
The choice of these four destinations is not coincidental. The markets visited demonstrate robust economic expansion rates, ranging between 4.7% and 8.3% annually. Combined, the regional blocs EAC (East African Community) and COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) represent a market of over 300 million consumers.
“We analyzed these markets with the diligence and seriousness that the opportunity requires, identifying that Benin, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia present qualified demands for several of our production verticals. The local receptivity, combined with the alignment of our innovations with regional needs, creates a favorable scenario for expanding economic diplomacy and diversifying the Brazilian export base, reducing dependence on traditional trade hubs,” states Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO.
Brazilian Solutions for Africa
The mission will promote solutions focused on strategic verticals such as Agribusiness, Civil Construction, Packaging, Housewares, and Industrial Inputs. Highlights in the portfolio range from bathroom accessories and office supplies to flexible structures, BOPP or PET films, and industrial buckets.
The agenda includes:
- Introduction and immersion seminars on how to do business in each region.
- B2B Business Rounds and direct negotiation tables with qualified buyers.
- Technical Visits for local retail analysis in hubs such as Nairobi and Addis Ababa.
- Networking events supported by economic diplomacy via ApexBrasil, MRE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture).
At the end of the journey, Think Plastic Brazil will produce a detailed strategic report for its member companies, supporting future decisions with real data on GDP, logistics, local customs, and demands by HS6 codes.
Carlos Moreira
Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO
About Think Plastic Brazil
Think Plastic Brazil started its activities with 38 companies and, over the last 20 years, has expanded its participation to more than 250 companies. During this period, the Portfolio promoted the participation of 4,773 companies in the industry in 240 projects specifically for Trade Promotion, resulting in 64,366 meetings. The economic impact was significant, with more than US$1.247 billion in business generated and a total investment of US$12.338 million, achieving an impressive ROI of US$101.04 for every dollar invested.
For those interested in buying from Brazil and contacting Brazilian companies associated with Think Plastic Brazil directly, please contact cristina.sacramento@thinkplasticbrazil.com and daniela.ornelas@thinkplasticbrazil.com via email or visit the website (https://thinkplasticbrazil.com/en/home-en/). Think Plastic Brazil is a non-profit, non-commissioned organization that can facilitate your direct contact with Brazilian producers.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastic Institute – INP arises amid the process of globalization and the need to make the plastic market more competitive internationally. Its strength and representativeness are the results of the union of the Brazilian Processed Plastic and Recycling Industry (ABIPLAST), the Brazilian Association of the Chemical Industry (ABIQUIM), and the Union of Synthetic Resin Industries in the State of São Paulo (SIRESP).
As a sectoral technological body, the INP’s is to be the focal point for the entire plastics production chain in Brazil. To this end, the body maintains an extensive workforce qualification program, promotes access to the most modern technologies, especially for small and medium-sized companies, and develops Technical Standards so that products with better quality be manufactured.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) promotes Brazilian products and services abroad and attracts foreign investments to strategic industries of the Brazilian economy. To reach its goals, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and influencers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that are also focused on strengthening “Brazil” as a brand.
The agency also acts in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
