The 16th BRICS+ Summit in Kazan, Tatarstan, marked a pivotal moment for Africa’s role in the global economy, with Egypt and Ethiopia joining for the first time. This summit, a milestone for the BRICS+ alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), opened new avenues for African countries to drive economic growth, foster sustainable development, and strengthen regional cooperation.
Since South Africa’s inclusion in 2010, BRICS+ has transformed into a more structured, multipolar coalition aiming to create a balanced, non-Western economic landscape. Its core objectives now include enhancing economic integration with emerging markets, promoting trade, investment, security, and multilateral collaboration among leading economies. Africa’s inclusion is strategic, with the Global South and Africa positioned as essential elements in the BRICS+ vision of shared development and security.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that BRICS is “non-Western” but not “anti-Western,” highlighting the coalition’s goal of creating an alternative model of cooperation, not opposition. Under Russia’s 2024 leadership, BRICS+ has introduced the concept of “partner states”—a significant expansion aimed at building a robust network of like-minded nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the group’s intent to unify “friendly countries” with shared values, signaling a step towards deeper collaboration in a multipolar world.
One-on-one meetings with leaders further cemented Africa’s importance in BRICS+. Putin held discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, recognizing Ethiopia’s full accession to BRICS as a testament to its growing influence on the world stage. Their meeting underscored the longstanding friendship between Russia and Ethiopia, with a 65% increase in bilateral trade this year pointing toward a promising future. The two countries envision a strengthened partnership within BRICS to solidify economic ties and facilitate broader Africa-Russia cooperation.
Putin also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing key joint projects like the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the Russian Industrial Zone. Egypt, which accounts for a third of Russia’s trade with Africa, has become one of Russia’s most strategic allies on the continent. Talks continue on establishing a free trade agreement between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union, positioning Egypt as a vital partner for Russia in the Maghreb and beyond.
South Africa, represented by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is instrumental in BRICS+ integration. The country is working with Russia on implementing a strategic action plan set during the recent Russia-Africa Summit, emphasizing the importance of South-South cooperation. Plans for a Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, to be held in Sochi in November, aim to further this collaboration. Meanwhile, former Brazilian President and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff emphasized the need for BRICS+ to secure additional resources to support development in Global South countries, as financial accessibility remains a significant barrier.
This year’s summit, themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,” also saw the official introduction of 13 new “partner countries,” including Algeria, Nigeria, and Uganda from Africa. These countries, alongside others like Belarus, Cuba, and Turkey, bring diverse perspectives and expand BRICS+’s reach. The summit’s declaration affirmed BRICS+’s commitment to reforming international financial structures to address the needs of developing nations and make the financial system more inclusive and equitable.
The declaration also proposed collaborative steps to reduce cross-border payment costs and increase transparency, including using local currencies for financial transactions. Member countries will work together to expand national currencies in trade and create an independent payment system, marking a shift towards reducing dependency on traditional Western financial networks.
In early 2024, BRICS+ welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as full members, signaling a bold step in its mission to build a multipolar world. This expanded BRICS—now encompassing Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE—illustrates its evolution from an informal association to a formidable coalition influencing global trade, development, and security.
For Africa, BRICS+ represents an unprecedented opportunity to shape its own development narrative. The continent’s growing role within BRICS+ signals a new chapter, one that invites African nations to play a leading role in a world that is increasingly multipolar and interconnected.
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