Since officially joining the BRICS economic bloc on January 1, 2024, Ethiopia has actively moved to leverage its membership, strategically pursuing new partnerships and reinforcing existing ones within the expanded alliance. This move is widely seen as a pivotal moment for the East African nation, providing a platform to amplify its voice internationally and diversify its economic and political engagements.
The BRICS, initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, welcomed Ethiopia, along with Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, in its recent expansion. Indonesia’s addition in January 2025 further increased the bloc’s membership to ten. This significant growth bolsters the bloc’s global influence, now representing a substantial portion of the world’s population and economy.
Ethiopia’s decision to join BRICS underscores its ambition to assume a more prominent role in international affairs and advocate for a multipolar world order. For a nation with a large and growing population and considerable economic potential, BRICS membership presents numerous advantages.
A key benefit for Ethiopia lies in the potential for enhanced economic cooperation with fellow member states. These partnerships can manifest in various forms. Firstly, the country can tap into the vast markets of BRICS nations, fostering increased trade volumes and attracting foreign direct investment in crucial sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and agriculture. For example, existing strong trade ties with China and growing relationships with Russia and India stand to be further strengthened within the BRICS framework.
Furthermore, a report from energycapitalpower.com indicates that Ethiopia has submitted an official application to join the BRICS-NDB, potentially becoming the fourth African nation to join upon approval. Accession to the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS countries, would offer Ethiopia an alternative source of funding for critical development projects. The NDB potentially provides more flexible terms and a greater focus on the needs of developing nations compared to traditional Western-dominated institutions.
Moreover, collaboration within BRICS can facilitate the transfer of technology and best practices across various fields, supporting Ethiopia’s industrialization and modernization efforts. Sharing expertise with countries like China and India, which have achieved significant technological advancements, could prove particularly beneficial.
Beyond economic advantages, BRICS membership offers Ethiopia a stronger political and diplomatic voice on the global stage. As part of a significant bloc, Ethiopia’s influence in international discussions on global governance, development, and security is amplified. It provides a platform to advocate for the interests of developing nations and contribute to shaping a more inclusive global system.
BRICS’ promotion of multilateralism offers Ethiopia an alternative avenue for international cooperation, reducing its reliance on traditional Western partners and enhancing its strategic autonomy through diversified partnerships.
Additionally, BRICS’ strong emphasis on South-South cooperation aligns with Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening ties with other nations in the Global South, fostering solidarity and collaboration among developing countries.
The recent BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, concluding on April 30, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, underscored the collaborative spirit among member nations in addressing pressing global challenges related to security and prosperity. The summit held under the theme: “The Role of BRICS in Addressing Global and Regional Crises and Advancing Pathways to Peace and Security,” the summit saw Ethiopia actively contributing to discussions.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Gedion Timothewos, emphasized the critical need for enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South to achieve shared security and prosperity. He highlighted the unprecedented political crises confronting global governance and stressed the Global South’s consistent commitment to non-alignment, the full implementation of the UN Charter, decolonization, peaceful dispute resolution, friendly international relations, the right to development, and global peace and security.
Minister Gedion further emphasized the potential of leveraging the comparative advantages of Global South nations in key sectors such as agriculture, energy development, technology, ICT, military affairs, trade, and connectivity to advance the common good. He underlined that competing interests in the international arena necessitate management and reconciliation through solidarity and a steadfast commitment to addressing issues of global consequence.
Reaffirming Ethiopia’s dedication to multilateralism and collective security, Minister Gedion reiterated the necessity of reforming global governance structures to ensure equitable representation for developing countries, particularly those in Africa. He asserted that such reforms must aim at strengthening multilateralism with the United Nations at its core.
Acknowledging prevailing global tensions, the Minister recognized the ongoing efforts of BRICS nations to pursue peaceful and diplomatic resolutions to crises through dialogue. He urged that these efforts should culminate in outcomes that effectively promote the security, economic, and overall interests of countries within the Global South.
On the side-lines of the summit, Minister Gedion engaged in bilateral meetings to strengthen ties with member countries. Discussions with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, centered on deepening bilateral relations, with a particular focus on economic and trade ties. Both ministers also agreed to enhance consultations within multilateral forums.
Minister Gedion also met with his Brazilian and Russian counterparts, Mauro Vieira and Sergey Lavrov, respectively. During his meeting with Brazil’s Foreign Minister Vieira, Gedion commended Brazil for its effective BRICS Presidency in 2025 and assured Ethiopia’s support for its priority areas. Their discussions encompassed cooperation in crucial areas such as food security, agricultural productivity, and reform of global governance institutions, energy transition, and afforestation programs. Minister Vieira shared Brazil’s initiatives from its 2024 G20 Presidency and acknowledged Ethiopia’s support, particularly its role as a board member of the Global Alliance against Poverty and Hunger.
In his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, Gedion lauded the strengthening of comprehensive relations between Ethiopia and Russia and emphasized the importance of further enhancing these ties. Foreign Minister Lavrov reciprocated, reaffirming Russia’s commitment to deepening the historic relations through concrete collaboration in both bilateral and multilateral arenas.
Further bilateral engagements included meetings with Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Maris Sangiampongsa, the Foreign Minister of Thailand, where discussions revolved around expanding bilateral relations in mutually beneficial areas and deepening cooperation through concrete initiatives.
As the nation continues its journey of economic transformation and seeks to amplify its voice on the international stage, closer alignment with the BRICS framework could prove to be a pivotal step towards achieving its goals of sustainable development and greater global influence.
BY EYUEL KIFLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025
