Brazil and Cape Verde sign cooperation agreement to strengthen health regulation

Brazil and Cape Verde agreement

A technical cooperation project was signed by the Brazil and Cape Verde, aiming at strengthening regulation in the pharmaceutical, food and health sectors. The initiative’s goal is to expand institutional capacities and promote the exchange of knowledge between the two countries, contributing to the improvement of the regulatory systems and the protection of public health.

The project “Consolidation of ERIS (Independent Health Regulatory Entity) as a regulatory agent for the pharmaceutical, food and health sectors” involves the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ABC/MRE), the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communities of Cape Verde (MNEC) and the Cape Verde Independent Health Regulatory Entity (ERIS).

During the ceremony, Anvisa’s chairman, Leandro Safatle, emphasized that regulatory cooperation is a fundamental strategy to expand the integration between countries and intensify health safety. He highlighted that overcoming health barriers contributes to developing stronger and safer relations between institutions. "This commitment consolidates a partnership of almost 20 years between Brazil and Cape Verde regulatory authorities. It is a step forward in promoting regulatory convergence and reducing barriers related to health," said Safatle.

ABC director, Ambassador Ruy Pereira, remarked Anvisa's strategic relevance in Brazilian international cooperation initiatives. According to him, the joint action represents an advance, which requires high technical qualification, inaugurating a new stage of cooperation with Cape Verde, with the strengthening of regulatory structures and standards. For the Cape Verd ambassador to Brazil, José Pedro Chantre D'Oliveira, the bilateral cooperation has a historical importance for the country's development, emphasizing the socioeconomic progress and the training of Cape Verdean professionals in Brazil.

The main goal of the project is to share knowledge and develop capacities related to health regulation models and practices, strengthening the institutional role of ERIS and contributing to the definition of strategic guidelines for market regulation in Cape Verde.

The initiative foresees capacity-building and experience-sharing actions. Some of the actions comprise making available Anvisa’s legal framework, technical assistance for the design and implementation of regulatory instruments, support for information, education and communication strategies, as well as conducting technical internships in priority areas.

Among the expected results are the strengthening of ERIS's technical capacities in food, pharmaceutical and health regulation, the improvement of institutional management and the development of project monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

The project has a total estimated investment of USD 1,050,970.00, with contributions from the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (USD 254,560), the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency  (USD 195,360) and the Independent Health Regulatory Entity (USD 579,110).

The Supplementary Agreement that ratified the project was signed during the visit of the Cape Verde Foreign Minister, João Luiz do Livramento Monteiro Alves de Brito, in February 2026. It reinforces the commitment of both countries to strengthening international cooperation and developing more efficient and safe regulatory systems.