Geopolitical changes and the reconfiguration of economic architecture towards the Global South, under the rapidly-growing influence of BRICS+ (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on the global stage, are driving the majority of African States to move away from the United States’ draconic hegemony, its hidden ambiguity and obscurity, as well as rules-based political order combined with authoritarianism.
Without much doubt, African States are increasingly showing skyline interest in BRICS+, primarily due to its distinctive-focused objectives, including global peace, the strategic development paradigms, food and energy security directions in the 21st century and beyond. Ultimately, African States are shrugging off relations with the Western and European world, alternatively settling for better beneficial economic cooperation and targeting to tap existing opportunities with countries in the Global South.
Researchers and policy experts have argued that the main aim within the association is to create conditions for the sustainable development for BRICS+ member countries and their people. There are other several factors or reasons, but for Africa, the central question remains what concretely these countries wanted to gain from BRICS+ association. This article explores some of the driving reasons.
Exemplary leadership
At least, Africa is in search for an exemplary leadership for the next decade. What is really needed is statesmanship, leaders who understand and recognise clearly the basic principles of shaping the future of global collaboration, particularly in the economic architecture. Generally, Africa views China, Russia, India and other members of BRICS upholding and advocating for the principles of equality in political participation, respect for sovereignty and integrity as well as complete fairness both in bilateral and multilateral cooperation. That, however, the exceptionally poor choice of new BRICS.
Acknowledging the current low levels of development, African leaders have consistently been forging a broader relations with external powers, on one hand. On the other hand, African States expressed absolute frustration over economic exploitations, foreign multinational financial institutions’ stringent conditions and Western hegemony. As an alternative step, the majority are now consolidating their positions based on a balance of interests, and simultaneously prioritising economic cooperation and partnerships with BRICS, particularly China and Russia. According to information sources monitored, many African countries in the continent have expressed the desire to ascend and ready to strictly adhere to the principles outlined by BRICS+ association. Applications filed by African countries conform to the agreed guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedure for BRICS membership expansion. With optimism, it is, however, expected that approximately 15 African States’ applications for membership would be approved during the late October summit.
Despite the challenges, African States have high hopes and will explore the possibility of taking concessionary loans, and/or securing adequate funding through BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB), which was established in 2015. For the NDB is in steady evolutionary process, but hopes to forge economic partnerships within BRICS+, and facilitate access to diverse markets, enhance trade and investment opportunities across emerging economies. At its annual board meeting, from August 29-31, 2024, in South Africa, the NDB restated its insights to offer a more inclusive and flexible approach to financing, support the reshaping long-term development goals, better suited to the unique needs of BRICS members and other developing countries.
In addition, BRICS+ has set significant task to ensure a fairer interconnectedness between states, and enlist their active participation in the reconstruction of global economic architecture away from existing unipolarity. In order to realise this, BRICS plans to introduce new financial payment systems. The concept of ‘de-dollarisation’ and the term ‘multipolarity’ are now admired by the majority of developing countries in the Global South. An appreciated driver for this process is BRICS’ platform created to resonate broader common objectives, to engage in steadfast reforms and no doubt, to roadmap better alternative socio-economic and political directions.
While African States continue to forge alternative economic and governance structures that challenge the Britton Woods institutions, multinational financial system, the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) with their existing dynamical network, still operate in nearly all countries across Africa. This suggests that a significant departure from dollar reliance and existing financial institutions remains a distant prospect.
Meanwhile, among current members of BRICS, China, with a cutting-edge, maintains the most admirable robust economic relations with Africa, especially under its policy flagship, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which it started in 2013 to establish beneficial economic relations and equal opportunities and foster cooperation in the different parts of the world. China’s private sector is now likely to lead trade and investment in Africa, while new initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will promote the growth of the region.
Africa’s Security Expectations
An analysis and monitoring show that Africa is in dire need of peace and of security, an ingredient for development. Further analysis also highlights African countries’ divergent interests in politics, economy and social spheres. The same applies to their foreign policies with external partners, while the majority still pursue a multi-alignment strategy, engaging with both the US and the other major powers. Over the past decades, Africa’s security objectives have remained fragmented, and in many countries the United States African Command (AFRICOM), responsible for US’s military operations, including fighting regional conflicts, has terribly failed to attain their purpose of creating military bases on the continent. It has huge yearly budget for sustaining military relations with 53 African States. With the changing geopolitical tides, the African Union (AU) and individual African States now envision to re-align with BRICS+ to address peace and security questions throughout the continent. BRICS+ has become Africa’s salvation. Russia has contributed immensely towards the expulsion of Europeans, particularly France out of French-speaking States in West Africa. These include Burkina Faso, Malian Republic and Niger. The Horn of Africa is still in delicate fragile situation. In a few other places such Mozambique, Guinea and Chad partially get financial support for military operations from Europe and the United States.
The Declaration adopted at the XV BRICS Summit held in South Africa, reiterated absolute commitment to inclusive multilateralism towards supporting peace and security in Africa. It finally stressed commitment to multilateralism and to the central role of the United Nations, which are prerequisites to maintain peace and security. And for this, it is imperative to refrain from any coercive measures not based on international law and the UN Charter.
Critical weak points
In reaction at the first stage in deciding whether to expand, BRICS has to guard against its internal instability and possible negative influence. The association should seriously consider the importance of reviewing and working on its basic instruments, instead of making any hasty decisions. BRICS is looking to the Global South – developing countries with sharp disparities but together account for 40% of the world’s GDP and 80% of its population. Many analysts have made powerful narratives that BRICS policies may not bring any real change because of diverging interests in politics, economy and culture.
Many have different perceptions about the essence of what is often referred to as a multipolar world. While expressing readiness to leverage unto BRICS’s platform, which is largely considered symbolic in the current geopolitical situation, there are many practical things that are difficult to promote.
Notwithstanding that, new BRICS members have multiple domestic issues to settle and still have to traditionally rely on western institutions. Shifting their alliance away from these institutions implies driving a sharp-edged dagger into the dynamics of their economic development. Russia has made an economic impact, especially in Africa and Asian countries, in addition to China and India, despite the fact that its agenda is dominated by the Ukraine war.
Researchers and policy experts have argued that the main aim within the association is to create conditions for the sustainable development for BRICS+ member countries and their people. There are other several factors or reasons, but for Africa, the central question remains what concretely these countries wanted to gain from BRICS+ association. This article explores some of the driving reasons.
Exemplary leadership
At least, Africa is in search for an exemplary leadership for the next decade. What is really needed is statesmanship, leaders who understand and recognise clearly the basic principles of shaping the future of global collaboration, particularly in the economic architecture. Generally, Africa views China, Russia, India and other members of BRICS upholding and advocating for the principles of equality in political participation, respect for sovereignty and integrity as well as complete fairness both in bilateral and multilateral cooperation. That, however, the exceptionally poor choice of new BRICS.
Acknowledging the current low levels of development, African leaders have consistently been forging a broader relations with external powers, on one hand. On the other hand, African States expressed absolute frustration over economic exploitations, foreign multinational financial institutions’ stringent conditions and Western hegemony. As an alternative step, the majority are now consolidating their positions based on a balance of interests, and simultaneously prioritising economic cooperation and partnerships with BRICS, particularly China and Russia. According to information sources monitored, many African countries in the continent have expressed the desire to ascend and ready to strictly adhere to the principles outlined by BRICS+ association. Applications filed by African countries conform to the agreed guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedure for BRICS membership expansion. With optimism, it is, however, expected that approximately 15 African States’ applications for membership would be approved during the late October summit.
Despite the challenges, African States have high hopes and will explore the possibility of taking concessionary loans, and/or securing adequate funding through BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB), which was established in 2015. For the NDB is in steady evolutionary process, but hopes to forge economic partnerships within BRICS+, and facilitate access to diverse markets, enhance trade and investment opportunities across emerging economies. At its annual board meeting, from August 29-31, 2024, in South Africa, the NDB restated its insights to offer a more inclusive and flexible approach to financing, support the reshaping long-term development goals, better suited to the unique needs of BRICS members and other developing countries.
In addition, BRICS+ has set significant task to ensure a fairer interconnectedness between states, and enlist their active participation in the reconstruction of global economic architecture away from existing unipolarity. In order to realise this, BRICS plans to introduce new financial payment systems. The concept of ‘de-dollarisation’ and the term ‘multipolarity’ are now admired by the majority of developing countries in the Global South. An appreciated driver for this process is BRICS’ platform created to resonate broader common objectives, to engage in steadfast reforms and no doubt, to roadmap better alternative socio-economic and political directions.
While African States continue to forge alternative economic and governance structures that challenge the Britton Woods institutions, multinational financial system, the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) with their existing dynamical network, still operate in nearly all countries across Africa. This suggests that a significant departure from dollar reliance and existing financial institutions remains a distant prospect.
Meanwhile, among current members of BRICS, China, with a cutting-edge, maintains the most admirable robust economic relations with Africa, especially under its policy flagship, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which it started in 2013 to establish beneficial economic relations and equal opportunities and foster cooperation in the different parts of the world. China’s private sector is now likely to lead trade and investment in Africa, while new initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will promote the growth of the region.
Africa’s Security Expectations
An analysis and monitoring show that Africa is in dire need of peace and of security, an ingredient for development. Further analysis also highlights African countries’ divergent interests in politics, economy and social spheres. The same applies to their foreign policies with external partners, while the majority still pursue a multi-alignment strategy, engaging with both the US and the other major powers. Over the past decades, Africa’s security objectives have remained fragmented, and in many countries the United States African Command (AFRICOM), responsible for US’s military operations, including fighting regional conflicts, has terribly failed to attain their purpose of creating military bases on the continent. It has huge yearly budget for sustaining military relations with 53 African States. With the changing geopolitical tides, the African Union (AU) and individual African States now envision to re-align with BRICS+ to address peace and security questions throughout the continent. BRICS+ has become Africa’s salvation. Russia has contributed immensely towards the expulsion of Europeans, particularly France out of French-speaking States in West Africa. These include Burkina Faso, Malian Republic and Niger. The Horn of Africa is still in delicate fragile situation. In a few other places such Mozambique, Guinea and Chad partially get financial support for military operations from Europe and the United States.
The Declaration adopted at the XV BRICS Summit held in South Africa, reiterated absolute commitment to inclusive multilateralism towards supporting peace and security in Africa. It finally stressed commitment to multilateralism and to the central role of the United Nations, which are prerequisites to maintain peace and security. And for this, it is imperative to refrain from any coercive measures not based on international law and the UN Charter.
Critical weak points
In reaction at the first stage in deciding whether to expand, BRICS has to guard against its internal instability and possible negative influence. The association should seriously consider the importance of reviewing and working on its basic instruments, instead of making any hasty decisions. BRICS is looking to the Global South – developing countries with sharp disparities but together account for 40% of the world’s GDP and 80% of its population. Many analysts have made powerful narratives that BRICS policies may not bring any real change because of diverging interests in politics, economy and culture.
Many have different perceptions about the essence of what is often referred to as a multipolar world. While expressing readiness to leverage unto BRICS’s platform, which is largely considered symbolic in the current geopolitical situation, there are many practical things that are difficult to promote.
Notwithstanding that, new BRICS members have multiple domestic issues to settle and still have to traditionally rely on western institutions. Shifting their alliance away from these institutions implies driving a sharp-edged dagger into the dynamics of their economic development. Russia has made an economic impact, especially in Africa and Asian countries, in addition to China and India, despite the fact that its agenda is dominated by the Ukraine war.
