Brazil: infrastructure and logistics projects ‘top of priorities’

The Speyside Latin America team is analyzing the new infrastructure agenda in Brazil, a key high-growth and emerging market. President Lula's administration is set to resume major state-led investments, prioritizing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) over privatizations. This shift requires a new Corporate Affairs strategy for businesses in the transport, ports, and housing sectors.

In light of the old Growth Acceleration Plan (PAC), which guided the management and promotion of these sectors in the two previous terms of Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as President (2003-2011), it is expected that the new government will resume investments in infrastructure and transport construction projects.

Lula will intensify state presence in the infrastructure sector as an attempt to increase formalized job positions. Programs such as Minha Casa, Minha Vida, which aims to build affordable housing, are to return to the core of federal management, especially in urban areas.

As for the transport sector, public concessions that are already in advanced discussions will continue. The new government will bet on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) primarly in the rail and roadways projects. Privatizations, such as the proposal for Lot STS10, of Brazil’s main Port Complex, in Santos, will be put on hold given Lula’s opposition to selling state assets and giving preference to other formats to attract private investment.

At Speyside Group we have analyzed the landscape for infrastructure in Brazil and identified the main agendas and challenges ahead of the country’s administration. This report contains a brief local analysis of the Ministries of Mines and Energy, Transports, and Ports and Airports, along with the sector trends and opportunities that 2023 will bring to Brazil.

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Conclusion

Lula’s administration signals a return to state-led development with strong focus on job creation and social impact. While privatizations will slow down, PPPs will play a crucial role in unlocking infrastructure growth, especially in energy and transport. Investors should prepare for a more strategic, government-driven model favoring long-term partnerships over asset sales.

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