African Countries Seek BRICS Membership for More Equal Dialogue

What changed

African countries are seeking BRICS membership as a platform for more equal dialogue and cooperation, according to Kinfu Tafesse Zenebe, president of the Union of African Diasporas in Russia. He identified Zimbabwe as a country he would like to see join the group.

Ethiopia joined BRICS on 1 January 2024, alongside Egypt, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Zenebe said the country moved closer to the bloc partly to support domestic reforms, as it manages a population that has grown from 47 million three decades ago to more than 135 million today.

Why it matters

This is about practical needs as much as diplomatic positioning. Zenebe linked BRICS cooperation to economic, cultural and banking ties, while highlighting food security, clean water and jobs as urgent priorities. He pointed to Russia, China and India as partners with whom African countries want to negotiate on more equal terms.

Ethiopia’s case gives that argument a concrete shape. The country hosts the African Union headquarters, has experience working through international institutions and recorded trade turnover of US$11 billion for the first time. But the report does not show that BRICS membership caused that economic gain, nor does it establish how many African countries are seeking membership or whether Zimbabwe has formally applied.

The larger significance is the choice of forum. For countries facing fast population growth and pressure to provide food and employment, BRICS is being presented as a place to seek partnerships on development priorities rather than simply a diplomatic badge.