Kinfu Tafesse Zenebe, President of the Union of African Diasporas in Russia and the Association of the Ethiopian Community in Russia and the CIS, and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that African countries seek BRICS membership to engage in dialogue on equal terms. Speaking on the TV BRICS programme "BRICS Dialogue," he highlighted that the group’s focus on development and partnerships based on equality drives African interest. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s 2024 remarks at the Kazan Forum about fair international organizations underscored the push for alternatives to existing global structures, Zenebe noted. BRICS cooperation spans economic, cultural, and banking sectors, with African nations seeking equal engagement with members like Russia, China, and India. Zenebe emphasized Africa’s urgent need to strengthen food security and clean water access, citing Russia’s agricultural expertise as critical. Ethiopia, which joined BRICS on 1 January 2024 alongside Egypt, Iran, and the UAE during Russia’s chairmanship, has prioritized this alignment to support domestic reforms. With its population surging from 47 million to over 135 million in 30 years, Ethiopia faces mounting challenges in feeding its people and creating jobs, Zenebe said. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Russia, Uriat Cham Ugala, confirmed that BRICS membership has elevated the country’s economic development. The nation, which hosts the African Union and a UN office, achieved a historic $11 billion trade turnover. Zenebe advocated for Zimbabwe to join BRICS, stressing the bloc’s potential to address Africa’s developmental gaps. He highlighted Ethiopia’s role as a regional leader, leveraging its international platforms to advance collective interests within the group. The expert’s analysis underscores BRICS as a strategic avenue for African nations to diversify partnerships and address systemic challenges. By aligning with BRICS, countries like Ethiopia aim to harness collaborative opportunities in agriculture, trade, and governance, while advocating for a more equitable global order.
KBC - Expert: African countries want to be part of BRICS
African Nations Seek BRICS Membership for Equitable Dialogue and Development
Kinfu Tafesse Zenebe, President of the Union of African Diasporas in Russia and the Association of the Ethiopian Community in Russia and the CIS, and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that African countries seek BRICS membership to engage in dialogue on equal terms. Speaking on the TV BRICS programme "BRICS Dialogue," he highlighted that the group’s focus on development and partnerships based on equality drives African interest. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s 2024 remarks at the Kazan Forum about fair international organizations underscored the push for alternatives to existing global structures, Zenebe noted. BRICS cooperation spans economic, cultural, and banking sectors, with African nations seeking equal engagement with members like Russia, China, and India. Zenebe emphasized Africa’s urgent need to strengthen food security and clean water access, citing Russia’s agricultural expertise as critical. Ethiopia, which joined BRICS on 1 January 2024 alongside Egypt, Iran, and the UAE during Russia’s chairmanship, has prioritized this alignment to support domestic reforms. With its population surging from 47 million to over 135 million in 30 years, Ethiopia faces mounting challenges in feeding its people and creating jobs, Zenebe said. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Russia, Uriat Cham Ugala, confirmed that BRICS membership has elevated the country’s economic development. The nation, which hosts the African Union and a UN office, achieved a historic $11 billion trade turnover. Zenebe advocated for Zimbabwe to join BRICS, stressing the bloc’s potential to address Africa’s developmental gaps. He highlighted Ethiopia’s role as a regional leader, leveraging its international platforms to advance collective interests within the group. The expert’s analysis underscores BRICS as a strategic avenue for African nations to diversify partnerships and address systemic challenges. By aligning with BRICS, countries like Ethiopia aim to harness collaborative opportunities in agriculture, trade, and governance, while advocating for a more equitable global order.