As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he had an important place in the affairs of the Portuguese African colonies. Already Africa was besieged by other European powers, especially Great Britain and Germany, wishing to "carve-up" territories on the continent. At the Berlin Conference, which essentially discussed issues of European occupation, Barros Gomes was successful in deliberations with Germany, that would permit the establishment of "spheres of influence" of the signatory powers in the continent of Africa.