As 2025 is just around the corner, talks are again ongoing about whether or not the BRICS alliance will decide to expand to more countries next year. Currently, the bloc holds nine full members and several partner nations. BRICS has spread its influence around the world, with more countries throughout 2024 showing interest in the alliance. One continent in particular where BRICS has spread its shadow is Africa.
This past summer, former Ethiopian speaker of the house Agegnehu Teshager revealed that all African countries are interested in joining the BRICS. While BRICS can’t logically induct all 54 countries of Africa into the bloc, the arrival of a new BRICS organization and the start of the BRICS partnership group does open the door for more involvement of these countries in the bloc’s activities.
China is one BRICS members that has already reportedly cosigned a new African nation to join the bloc in Zimbabwe. Developing countries are finding the BRICS de-dollarization agenda lucrative as the initiative can boost their native economies and local currencies. While many countries from Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe have expressed their interest in joining the BRICS alliance, African nations are putting in effort to join too.
Also Read: BRICS: Calls To Move Away From the US Dollar Is Growing
More African Countries Show Interest in BRICS, Including Kenya
With Ethiopia and Egypt being the latest African countries to join BRICS this year, Kenya’s President William Ruto also has an interest in joining the group, according to reports. Experts argue that BRICS is becoming increasingly attractive to African countries. This is because it is guided by principles of sovereign equality, inclusiveness, strategic cooperation, and multilateralism.
Aly Khan Satchu, a leading investment banker from Kenya, described BRICS as “a lodestar” for African countries, “in practically every case it makes sense for these countries to join.” “African countries need to dilute the influence of Bretton Woods institutions and escape the dollar stranglehold,” he said. “By joining BRICS, increasing their bilateral trade and increasing settlement in local currencies, BRICS is a win for African countries.”
With the growing interest on both sides, BRICS may find a new hub of members in Africa if it decides to expand again in 2025.
