BRICS has officially expanded its alliance, adding 13 new countries as partner nations during the 2024 summit held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24. Among the new partner countries are Nigeria, Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
The summit, themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,” marked the 16th annual gathering of BRICS, which originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The bloc, which recently added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE as full members, continues to prioritize economic integration, trade, and cooperation with key emerging nations.
Nigeria’s inclusion as a partner aligns with its ambition to eventually become a full member of BRICS, as stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, in 2023. This development is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s global trade and diplomatic engagements within the emerging markets network.
