Unveiling a New Dawn: The Rise of BRICS and Africa’s Place in It
In an era marked by shifting global power dynamics, the BRICS—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—stands as a formidable coalition of emerging economies determined to reshape the world order, traditionally dominated by Western institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. For African nations, long tethered to colonial legacies and neocolonial economic structures, BRICS offers a tantalizing promise: a partnership that could unlock unprecedented opportunities for trade, investment, and diplomatic leverage. This alliance is not merely an economic pact but a symbol of hope for a continent seeking to assert its agency in a multipolar world.
South Africa’s entry into BRICS in 2010 was a pivotal moment, embedding an African voice within this influential bloc. The subsequent inclusion of Egypt and Ethiopia in 2024 has further deepened Africa’s stake, transforming BRICS into a platform where the continent’s interests—rooted in Pan-African ideals of unity, self-reliance, and prosperity—can be amplified. This article explores the evolving relationship between Africa and the BRICS, weaving together the threads of historical collaboration, the complexities of trade dynamics, and the ongoing struggle for sovereignty. It examines how this partnership has reshaped Africa’s economic landscape and explores the delicate balance between opportunity and risk as the continent charts its future.
Roots of Resilience: A Historical Journey of African-BRICS Engagement
The story of Africa’s ties with BRICS begins in the early 21st century, a period of global economic recalibration. In 2001, economist Jim O’Neill coined the term “BRIC” to describe the rising economic powers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, predicting their potential to rival Western dominance. The formalization of BRIC into a political and economic alliance in 2009 laid the groundwork for a new geopolitical force. South Africa’s inclusion in 2010 expanded the acronym to BRICS, marking a historic acknowledgment of Africa’s strategic importance—its vast natural resources, growing population, and untapped markets.
A landmark moment came in 2013 with the BRICS summit in Durban, South Africa, themed “BRICS and Africa – Partnerships for Integration and Industrialization.” This gathering highlighted Africa’s role as more than a resource supplier; it positioned the continent as a partner in a shared vision of development. The establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2014, headquartered in Shanghai, was a bold step toward financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in Africa, free from the conditionalities often imposed by Western lenders. Over the past few decades, trade and investment from BRICS nations have surged, with China leading the charge through initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The 2024 expansion to include Egypt and Ethiopia—two nations with rich histories and significant regional influence—underscored Africa’s growing clout within BRICS. Egypt, a gateway between Africa and the Middle East, and Ethiopia, home to the African Union headquarters, bring diverse perspectives to the alliance. Together with South Africa, they form a trifecta of African representation, positioning the continent as a linchpin in the emerging multipolar order. This historical trajectory reflects a partnership rooted in mutual interest but tempered by the complexities of power and autonomy.
Harvesting Unity: The Dynamics of Trade Relations
The Pulse of Progress: Current State and Trends
Trade between Africa and BRICS has evolved into a cornerstone of the continent’s economic framework, often outpacing relationships with traditional Western partners. By 2015, analysts projected that BRICS-Africa trade would surpass $500 billion, a target fueled largely by China’s insatiable demand for raw materials and its export of manufactured goods. In 2024, Egypt’s trade with BRICS reached $50.8 billion, reflecting a 19.5% increase from the previous year—a testament to the bloc’s growing economic pull. However, Egypt’s persistent trade deficit highlights a recurring challenge: the imbalance between exports of commodities and imports of finished products.
South Africa, despite its BRICS membership, reveals a different facet of this dynamic. Only a small fraction of its agricultural exports—such as citrus and wine—flow to BRICS partners, with the European Union remaining a dominant market. Across the continent, trade patterns expose a structural dependency: Africa supplies oil, minerals, and crops while receiving machinery, electronics, and consumer goods. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), launched in 2019, aims to address this by increasing intra-African trade, which currently accounts for only 16% of total trade. BRICS support for AfCFTA could catalyze a shift, but high tariffs, poor infrastructure, and non-tariff barriers continue to stifle progress.
| Year | BRICS-Africa Trade Volume (USD Billion) | Key Notes |
| 2000 | 42.5 | Early seeds of trade planted |
| 2008 | 340 | Eightfold growth in under a decade |
| 2012 | 340 | Sustained momentum pre-expansion |
| 2024 | 50.8 (Egypt only) | Egypt’s trade surges, deficit persists |
Pillars of Exchange: Key Sectors and Patterns
The trade relationship is a mosaic of sectoral exchanges. China dominates, importing African minerals—such as cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and oil from Angola—and exporting infrastructure equipment and technology. The Belt and Road Initiative has funded railways, ports, and highways, enhancing connectivity but often prioritizing resource extraction over local industrialization. Brazil engages Angola and Mozambique in agriculture and energy, while India supplies pharmaceuticals and textiles to East Africa. Russia’s footprint is smaller, centered on energy and arms deals, yet significant in countries like Algeria.
Between 2003 and 2012, 75% of BRICS foreign direct investment (FDI) targeted Africa’s manufacturing and services sectors; however, the export of raw materials remains the dominant narrative. This imbalance perpetuates a colonial-era trade model, raising questions about long-term economic empowerment. Efforts to add value—such as processing minerals locally—face hurdles like inadequate technology and funding, despite BRICS pledges to support industrialization.
Beyond the West: A Comparative Lens
Compared to traditional partners like the EU and the US, the BRICS offers Africa more flexible trade terms, often free from political strings. Western aid and loans frequently come with governance reforms or human rights stipulations, whereas BRICS prioritizes economic pragmatism. Yet, over 50% of Africa’s trade remains tied to five non-African economies, underscoring the challenge of diversification. The BRICS’ willingness to support the AfCFTA could tilt this balance, fostering a self-reliant African economy; however, tangible progress hinges on dismantling trade barriers.
Guardians of Autonomy: The Sovereignty Question
Rising Strong: Enhancing Sovereignty through BRICS
BRICS engagement has bolstered African sovereignty by offering alternatives to Western financial and political dominance. The New Development Bank exemplifies this shift, providing loans for infrastructure—such as roads in Kenya and dams in Ghana—without the austerity measures typically demanded by the IMF. Algeria’s $1.5 billion contribution to become the NDB’s ninth shareholder in 2025 signals a growing trust in this model. Politically, BRICS amplifies Africa’s voice: South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia now advocate for continental interests in global forums, such as the United Nations.
BRICS also supports African Union (AU) initiatives, such as peacekeeping missions in the Sahel, and proposes projects like the Grain Exchange to stabilize food prices. These efforts align with Pan-African goals of economic independence and collective strength, offering a counterweight to historical dependencies.
Shadows of Influence: Sovereignty Under Strain
Yet, the promise of sovereignty is not without caveats. Critics, including the Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt (CADTM), accuse BRICS—particularly China—of neo-colonialism. In Zambia, Chinese loans have led to debt distress, with infrastructure projects ceding control to foreign creditors. Nigeria faces similar pressures, with $5 billion in Chinese debt by 2023 raising alarms about economic autonomy. The extraction of resources—cobalt mined by child labor in Congo, oil siphoned from Sudan—often yields minimal local benefit, echoing colonial exploitation.
Internal BRICS rivalries further complicate the picture. The 2025 Kazan summit exposed tensions between India and China over border disputes, weakening the bloc’s cohesion and diluting its support for African priorities. For African members, navigating these fractures risks undermining their collective leverage.
Trials of Triumph: Navigating the Challenges
Echoes of Exploitation: Critiques of BRICS Engagement
The specter of neo-colonialism haunts BRICS-Africa relations. China, Russia, and India face accusations of prioritizing resource extraction over sustainable development. The CADTM highlights an “unequal ecological exchange,” where Africa bears environmental ruin—like deforestation in Gabon—for scant economic gain. The NDB, while innovative, mirrors World Bank pitfalls, with opaque lending practices and unfinished projects. Failed BRICS initiatives, such as the stalled credit rating agency, cast doubt on the bloc’s reliability.
Fractured Foundations: Internal Divisions
BRICS’ strength lies in its diversity, but this is also its Achilles’ heel. Political differences—between democratic India and authoritarian Russia—and rivalries, such as the post-2024 expansion of Saudi Arabia and Iran, hinder unified action. For Africa, this fragmentation risks sidelining its agenda, as seen in stalled talks on currency diversification at the 2025 summit.
Winds of Change: External Pressures
Global disruptions—pandemics, conflicts like the 2022 Ukraine crisis, and climate crises—cost Africa $8.5 billion in 2022, challenging BRICS-Africa cooperation. The US dollar’s dominance in trade hinders efforts to use local currencies, a key goal of sovereignty. These external forces test the resilience of this partnership.
Vision for Victory: A Path Forward
The African-BRICS relationship is a tapestry woven with threads of promise and peril. Trade has soared, infrastructure has risen, and Africa’s global presence has strengthened. Yet, unequal exchange, debt traps, and internal discord cast long shadows. For Pan-African prosperity to flourish, African nations must wield strategic foresight, demanding trade that adds value, investments that build capacity, and policies that safeguard the environment. BRICS must transcend its divisions, committing to partnerships that prioritize Africa’s growth over extraction.
The future brims with potential: a continent empowered by BRICS’ resources and markets, yet steadfast in its autonomy. Achieving this vision requires a delicate dance—balancing ambition with vigilance, unity with independence—as Africa strides boldly into a multipolar world.
