Elizabeth Antidius Shumbusho | Africa Guardian
An increasing number of African nations are seeking to join the BRICS group, signaling a strategic shift to bolster their global influence and unlock new economic opportunities, experts say. Ethiopia and Egypt have recently joined the group, and Kenya’s President William Ruto has also expressed interest in becoming a member.
Analysts suggest that BRICS is gaining appeal for African countries because it is founded on principles of sovereign equality, inclusiveness, strategic cooperation, and multilateralism. The continent’s growing affiliation with BRICS is also driven by dissatisfaction with the global unipolar system, which is predominantly led by the United States and Europe.
Aly Khan Satchu, a prominent Kenyan investment banker, described BRICS as a “lodestar” for African countries. “In nearly every case, it makes sense for these countries to join,” he said. “Africa needs to reduce the influence of Bretton Woods institutions and break free from the dollar’s dominance.” He believes that by joining BRICS, boosting bilateral trade, and encouraging local currency settlements, African nations can reap significant benefits.
Fredrick Ogola, CEO of the African Health and Economic Institute in Kenya, noted that African countries, including Kenya, have historically depended on economic ties with the West. However, he argued that Western economic frameworks often hinder development and perpetuate poverty in many nations.
Ogola highlighted several key benefits of BRICS membership for Africa. First, he suggested that joining BRICS could help African nations escape the debt cycle created by Western financial institutions, where loans often carry excessively high interest rates. In contrast, the China-led Belt and Road Initiative offers loans with more affordable terms, he explained.
Affordable imports could also reduce the cost of living for Africans, Ogola said. For instance, African governments could directly source wheat from India or maize from Brazil, bypassing intermediaries and keeping prices competitive.
Beyond financial benefits, BRICS membership could expand trade in value-added and intermediate goods, moving away from reliance on raw commodities. It could also promote tourism, cultural exchange, and technological transfer.
The recent BRICS summit in Russia highlighted opportunities for emerging countries like Kenya to strengthen ties with the bloc and align their goals for a multipolar world. Ogola emphasized that the summit also demonstrated how BRICS could remain a key player in the shifting international landscape, offering a more inclusive global system, one that addresses Africa’s needs and treats the continent as an equal partner.
Kenya, with its robust economy and long history of engagement with BRICS nations, is particularly well-positioned to benefit from membership, Ogola concluded.
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