In the October edition of Advocatus, Susana Almeida Brandão publishes an opinion piece entitled “There is a right time for everything”, reflecting on the strategic role of Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) in the global investment landscape.

Drawing on recent World Health Organization data, she highlights the demographic and economic weight of the Lusophone world: “Together, Portugal and the PALOP currently represent more than 83 million people – a figure expected to grow significantly by 2050, despite the projected population decline in Portugal.”

Africa, she notes, is the last rising continent – young, resource-rich and moving towards greater regional integration, while also becoming the stage for intense geopolitical competition. In this context, “Portugal stands out for its privileged position, able to strengthen its role as a direct investor and as a strategic bridge for other countries looking to invest in Africa, particularly in the PALOP.”

She also underlines the importance of legal and tax frameworks such as Bilateral Investment Treaties and Double Taxation Conventions, describing them as essential foundations for building a safer, more stable and more competitive business environment. “Despite the practical challenges that remain, combining these mechanisms with the right public policies is key to boosting investment and deepening economic ties between Portugal and the PALOP.”

For the author, Lusophony is not only a cultural community, but “a matter of economic and political geostrategy. Portugal, even without the financial muscle of larger powers, has valuable intangible assets – from cultural and linguistic proximity to the on-the-ground experience of its business community.”

She concludes with a clear message: “There is a right time for everything. The time for Portugal to act has come.”

Read the article in the print version of Advocatus.