A Shift in Global Power
In August 2023, BRICS—originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—made headlines by extending an invitation to six more countries, including Egypt and Ethiopia. This expansion sparked a flurry of debate, especially in African policy circles, about what a multipolar world could mean for the continent. As traditional Western alliances grow increasingly unpredictable, BRICS Africa relations are emerging as a new frontier for economic influence, diplomacy, and development.
Africa’s inclusion in BRICS dialogues is not merely symbolic. With a combined GDP of over $3 trillion and a youthful population of more than 1.4 billion, the continent is too significant to be sidelined. Countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt are actively recalibrating their foreign policies to align with emerging powers. The question is no longer if Africa will play a central role in BRICS—but how. And what could this mean for trade, sovereignty, and global equity?
Kenya’s Diplomatic Pivot: Seeking a Seat at the Table
When Kenya’s President William Ruto met with BRICS leaders on the sidelines of the 2023 Africa Climate Summit, it wasn’t just a formality—it was a signal. Kenya, often considered an economic anchor in East Africa, has shown keen interest in joining or partnering with the bloc. Nairobi’s charm offensive includes ramping up trade with China and India, aligning development agendas, and exploring alternative financing models outside the West.
A senior official from Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that “joining BRICS or forming structured partnerships would allow Kenya to diversify its diplomatic options while reinforcing regional leadership.” This strategy reflects a broader trend in BRICS in Africa dynamics: the desire for self-determination in a world where Bretton Woods institutions are often criticized for imposing harsh conditionalities.
Kenya’s tech sector, dubbed the “Silicon Savannah,” further positions the country as a strategic innovation hub. With mobile money platforms like M-Pesa reaching deep into rural areas, Kenya exemplifies the kind of digital leapfrogging that could benefit from BRICS-led technology transfers and infrastructure investment.
Nigeria and the Currency Question: Sovereignty Meets Strategy
In West Africa, Nigeria’s interest in BRICS is both economic and ideological. With a population exceeding 220 million and abundant natural resources, Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy—yet it remains vulnerable to currency volatility and debt burdens. The appeal of a BRICS alternative to the US dollar, potentially via a common trading currency, has sparked debate among Nigerian policymakers and economists.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization and former Nigerian Finance Minister, emphasized the importance of trade diversification during a recent summit: “Africa must reduce its exposure to single markets and currencies to build resilience.”
For Nigeria, BRICS Africa relations offer a roadmap for financial autonomy. Collaborations with China on infrastructure, oil deals with India, and shared policy interests with South Africa form a mosaic of opportunity. Still, Nigeria must tread carefully to balance its Western alliances with its eastern ambitions.
Egypt and Ethiopia: From Nile Politics to Global Power Blocs
Egypt’s inclusion in the new BRICS lineup was a diplomatic coup—and one rooted in historical pragmatism. Long a geopolitical player in North Africa and the Arab world, Egypt brings to BRICS a strategic Suez Canal location and decades of institutional knowledge in multilateral diplomacy.
The move comes as Egypt grapples with IMF loans and economic pressure. Analysts believe BRICS membership could provide Cairo with alternative financial lifelines, investment inflows, and enhanced bargaining power on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s inclusion symbolizes Africa’s developmental aspirations. As the only low-income country in the expanded BRICS, Ethiopia represents the bloc’s interest in tapping emerging markets with massive growth potential. Despite recent civil unrest, Ethiopia’s fast-tracked infrastructure projects, supported largely by Chinese investment, make it a natural partner.
This evolution in BRICS in Africa dynamics also speaks to the continent’s growing assertiveness in defining its global alliances—not from a place of desperation, but of strategic intent.
Analysis & Commentary: A Multipolar Moment or Mirage?
While the momentum behind BRICS Africa relations is undeniable, deeper analysis reveals both promise and pitfalls. On one hand, Africa gains a platform to influence global governance beyond the G7, especially on trade, climate finance, and debt restructuring. On the other, BRICS remains a loosely coordinated group with divergent interests—Russia and China’s global posturing contrasts sharply with India’s caution or Brazil’s regional focus.
Structural challenges persist. Africa’s intra-continental trade still lags at 15% compared to over 60% in Europe. Many nations lack the infrastructure, digital capacity, or diplomatic machinery to fully leverage BRICS affiliations. Moreover, critics warn that China’s dominant role in BRICS could replicate the same dependency models Africa is trying to escape.
Yet, the opportunity lies in agency. Africa’s youth bulge, mobile-first economy, and linguistic diversity could shape the kind of multipolarity that is inclusive, not extractive. For this to happen, African nations must strengthen their own regional blocs—like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—and engage BRICS on equal footing.
Africa’s Global Rebirth Through BRICS?
The rise of BRICS in Africa may well mark a historic turning point. No longer confined to the sidelines, African nations are stepping into the arena—forming alliances, defining terms, and demanding respect. While BRICS is not a silver bullet, it offers an alternative paradigm for development grounded in cooperation rather than coercion.
As the world tilts toward multipolarity, the true test will be whether Africa uses this moment to amplify its voice or echo old dependencies. For countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia, the stakes are high—but so is the potential.
“Africa doesn’t just need a seat at the table. It needs to help design the room.”
