African countries are seeking to join the BRICS group to gain a platform for dialogue on an equal footing, according to Kinfu Tafesse Zenebe, President of the Union of African Diasporas in Russia. He stated that African countries' interest in BRICS is linked to its development and the willingness of its members to build partnerships based on equality. This interest has been sparked by BRICS' constant development and its members' commitment to fair international organizations.
Kinfu Tafesse Zenebe made these remarks on the TV BRICS programme "BRICS Dialogue". He noted that BRICS has several areas of cooperation, including economic, cultural, and banking. People in Africa seek equal dialogue on these issues among partners such as Russia, China, and India. The expert emphasized that Africa currently needs to strengthen food security and improve access to clean water, areas where Russia can assist the continent.
Ethiopia, for instance, made a deliberate decision to move closer to BRICS to support domestic reforms. The country's population has grown significantly, from 47 million 30 years ago to over 135 million today. This growth poses the task of providing its people with food and jobs. Kinfu highlighted that Ethiopia has extensive experience working on international platforms, hosting the headquarters of the African Union and an international branch of the United Nations.
Ethiopia joined BRICS on January 1, 2024, along with Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, during Russia's BRICS chairmanship. According to Ethiopia's Ambassador to Russia, Uriat Cham Ugala, BRICS membership has enabled the country to reach a new level of economic development. The country has also recorded a trade turnover of $11 billion for the first time.
Kinfu also cited Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's speech at the Kazan Forum in 2024, where he spoke about fair international organizations. This has sparked interest among African countries to join BRICS as an alternative, fair international group. The expert added that Zimbabwe is a country he would like to see join BRICS in the future.
Russia can play a significant role in assisting Africa in strengthening food security and improving access to clean water. Kinfu emphasized that Africa's main tasks today are to feed its people and provide them with clean water. He noted that Russia's experience in growing crops and managing resources can be valuable to the continent.
The interest of African countries in joining BRICS reflects their desire for equal dialogue and development opportunities. As Kinfu noted, BRICS offers a platform for countries to discuss issues on an equal footing, which is attractive to African nations seeking to strengthen their economies and improve the lives of their people.
Key points
- African countries seek to join BRICS for equal dialogue and development opportunities.
