The BRICS organization has entered a new phase of cooperation with Africa, following a significant expansion of its membership and the introduction of a new 'partner country' category. In 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joined the organization, broadening its geographic reach. The September 2026 summit in New Delhi marked a crucial step in this process, with African nations playing a key role in the group's development.
The African representation within BRICS has increased significantly, with three African states - South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia - now full members, and Nigeria and Uganda having attained partner country status. The president of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the current chairperson of the African Union (AU), participated in the summit, highlighting Africa's growing agency within the organization.
The New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed BRICS' support for a greater representation of African nations on the UN Security Council, and highlighted the underrepresentation of developing nations, particularly African ones, within the global governance system. BRICS has consistently advocated for the interests of the Global South, and the African agenda was prominent in security matters, including the crisis in Sudan.
The New Development Bank (NDB), a key financial institution for BRICS, has expanded its presence in Africa, with Egypt and Algeria becoming members, and Ethiopia, Angola, and Zimbabwe awaiting accession. The NDB Board of Governors has approved the accession of these countries, which will increase the bank's African members to six.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed proposed opening an NDB office in Addis Ababa, which would give the bank another institutional foothold on the African continent. The NDB's new strategy for 2027-2031 aligns with the development of BRICS, prioritizing a gradual and balanced expansion of the membership base, active engagement with new members, and increased financing.
The NDB leadership aims to launch full-scale operations in all new borrowing countries, which is crucial for Africa. Currently, the bulk of the portfolio is concentrated in South Africa, but the emergence of project portfolios in Egypt and Algeria, followed by Ethiopia, Angola, and Zimbabwe, will be a key indicator of success.
African states, including Ethiopia and South Africa, are advocating for access to financing and markets, attracting investments, and developing regional connectivity. The benefits of BRICS for African states are increasingly tied to utilizing its tools to address domestic and regional development challenges, rather than just membership in a major non-Western group.
Key points
- BRICS has shifted focus from expanding its membership to establishing an African platform within the organization.
- The New Development Bank has expanded its presence in Africa, with Egypt and Algeria becoming members.
- African states are advocating for access to financing and markets, attracting investments, and developing regional connectivity.
