World
The Moment of Truth for BRICS: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
As already known, BRICS is an association of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa joined the association in 2010.
The BRICS has a significant influence on regional affairs and very active on the global stage. All of them are members of the G20.
While the group has received both praise and criticism from different corners of the world, BRICS is steadily working towards realizing its set goals, bilateral relations among them are conducted on the basis of non-interference, equality and mutual benefits.
In this exclusive interview, Dr Byelongo Elisee Isheloke, who is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Cape Town and has scholarly researched some aspects of BRICS for the past 10 years, spoke with Kester Kenn Klomegah about his observations, the existing challenges, opportunities and the future perspectives of BRICS. Here are the interview excerpts;
South Africa joined BRICS in 2010, a decade ago, and so, how do you assess South Africa in BRICS these years? What are its greatest contributions to the development of the group?
I would say South Africa is strongly committed to its engagement in the BRICS. It has hosted two of its summits. As an active member, it has what it takes to deliver despite the internal economic crises in South Africa. I think over the years, South Africa grew in confidence within the partnership, particularly when the first BRICS summit took place in Durban South Africa.
In the Durban 2013 BRICS summit, African presidents were invited to join leaders of BRICS and the theme evolved around Africa. In this context, South Africa regained its muscles as a BRICS member.
South Africa, therefore, represents Africa well in the BRICS, in a way, and I think the African countries should support it. The only thing I think people want is to be more involved. While the BRICS started as a partnership of political nature, now that it has embraced economic development, the voice of the people must be heard.
The major problem of South Africa is that it is not robust economically compared to its BRICS counterparts, and its economy has been performing badly since the 2008/2009 world’s economic crisis.
It has been a zero growth economy ever since; if any growth, then it has been below 1 per cent. South Africa has struggled to stabilize its economy during the past few years, and now the COVID-19 has exacerbated this but it is common to many countries around the world.
In your previous discussion, you talk about a transition from politics to economy. How do you see BRICS influence on international issues, its collective position on the global arena?
BRICS did not transit from politics to economy as such but put emphasis on economic projects. BRICS leaders still talk global politics while experts guide the leaders on foreign policy issues. For me, I think it is a very good approach going forward. BRICS must deliver on capital-intensive infrastructure development, and the funding from the New Development Bank (BRICS) is critical in this regard. With good policies in place, this will help the SADC region and the rest of Africa. It is great that the branch of this bank operates from Johannesburg in South Africa.
Furthermore, I must say that BRICS influence on international scale is dented by minor problems in the organization. For example, the diplomatic conflict between India and China, the fact that both Russia and China wants to be in a position of favour with the United States on diplomatic ground, this is not helping its influence globally.
“I think BRICS must clean its home, or clean before its door, if it wants to be the balancing power in international affairs. The other problem is the capital issue. At the moment, the BRICS do not have the muscles to outcompete the Bretton Wood Institutions, the World Bank and IMF. More investment, more capital is needed in the BRICS Bank.
In the past, there was the lack of synergy in diplomatic position as far as the BRICS is concerned. In the UN Security Council, for instance, the BRICS have to consult in order to accommodate views on issues of global importance.
We know that South Africa is a member of the SADC and there is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), another SADC country, which has a plethora of problems of security and economic nature. I think that any assistance from such an organization (BRICS) would be appreciated.
Quite recently, more than 200 civilians known as the Bembe people were massacred in the eastern DRC by Ngumino and Twagineho militias. These militias are of foreign origin to the DRC. This news is not broadcasted in South Africa, if the BRICS could invest more in peace-keeping mission, maybe help the current government, perhaps it could help the failing Monusco, a UN mission in the DRC.
It is such engagement that can make the BRICS shine internationally. They need a collective position on global issues. This is just one example.
In relation to economy and trade, what are your arguments about collaboration among BRICS? Do you also see China and India racing for global dominance, and Russia steadily raising its business profile on global stage?
With regard to this question, this is what I have to say. In fact, trade protectionism is only good temporarily and it works only in the short run. It is not sustainable as a policy in the long term. We know in the 17th century it was promoted in European countries but there was a time when the Laissez-faire ideology took precedence on economic isolationism. We also know that a couple of BRICS countries have a communist background (Russia and China). What I can say is that China opened up its economy to trade, and for more than 30 years, it manage to build a robust economy (now considered the 2nd largest after the United States) with potential prospects of outperforming the United States. I think we can learn from the Chinese economic success.
The COVID-19 situation may help change the forecasts but free trade has proven over the years to be highly supportive to the economy of nations. This does not mean one needs “to throw away the baby with the water” when it comes to the gain obtained during the socialist approach to economic development.
The BRICS countries should find a way of striking a balance between the two economic systems. But frankly speaking, an open economy leaning more towards free trade is what I would recommend for an emerging economy.
Now, even countries where the economy is freer like South Africa and India, we see that the major hindrance is corruption and bad governance in certain instances. If the BRICS can address these obstacles or hurdles, they will have a better chance of winning.
In China, human rights abuses shouldn’t be covered up; doing-Business with countries where dictatorship and abuses are evident should it be alright.
In addition, there will be areas where BRICS will compete, and this is healthy to any economy, but there must be more focus on what BRICS can do together to address abject poverty, growing unemployment and human rights abuses.
China and India need to talk more to address their differences. The future of BRICS depends, to some considerable extent, on their good relations. The race for dominance if military is dangerous. I think they need to talk as friends and partners. The rest of the BRICS should mediate in this regard.
Many experts still question the role of BRICS members in Africa. It is important here to recall that Russia was involved in helping African countries during their struggle for independence and that was the Cold War. It lost its influence after the split of the USSR. Currently Russia’s foreign policy largely seeks to regain what it lost to the United States and China and other foreign players in Africa. But for our Russian partners, Africa needs sustainable development, and not military weapons and equipment. Africa is looking for foreign players to invest in infrastructure and play large part economically.
In your post-doctoral research on BRICS, and in your article to The Conversation, you mentioned what South Africa can offer or shared with other members. Is it possible to restate explicitly the kind of “beneficiation” here?
I would make known, first, that as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Cape Town, my academic investigation deals with the impact of and the challenges towards mineral beneficiation policy interventions in the SADC region. This has some importance for foreign players looking opportunities to invest in mineral resources in the SADC.
Having said the above, I am more than prepared to embark on a project that will help BRICS to understand the effects of BRICS partnership on mineral beneficiation in South Africa and within the Southern African Development Community.
In this connection, I think South Africa has a lot to offer to the BRICS. There must also be a consensus with other African countries. Understandably, South Africa can be an investment gateway to Africa. As the presiding head of the African Union, South Africa represents the interests of the AU in BRICS.
On beneficiation, South Africa has a tremendous experience on nuclear power that, if used for energy, could help the beneficiation industry in the country. One needs to be cautious of deviations in that regard, not that I am suggesting South Africa would deviate, but care needs to be observed by all member countries on that issue. As a pacifist, I would advise that African countries look at alternative, renewable energy sources. A gradual approach to beneficiation and a dialogue between trade partners will take the BRICS partnership to another level as far as South Africa is concerned in the BRICS.
How do you assess the current coronavirus spread and its impact, especially among BRICS, (Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa) and allegedly (yet to be proved) virus originated from China (BRICS member)?
The BRICS are hit by the COVID-19 crisis just like any other country. As we know, the COVID-19 started in Wuhan, China, and then spread in no time to all the continents. It is however important to note that China closed its borders and cooperated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to alert other countries. On the other hand, in Africa, we saw China helping the African Union (AU) with PPEs and other test equipment. This should be appreciated.
Whether the alert came late or not, I do not have any means to determine that. Why would China want to do that? Instead of pointing fingers to others, I think it is time the world learns from the threat we face together as humans and find a common ground to halt (stop) the spread of COVID-19. It should be an opportunity to re-engineer our health facilities and capabilities for a better tomorrow for all.
Personally, I would call for cooperation between BRICS and non-BRICS countries (the United States and Europe for example to get involved). Failing to do that will be a recipe for more complications.
What do you think of BRICS collaborating on COVID-19 vaccine? Do you see “cooperation or competition” among its members (China, India and Russia) racing for global market with the vaccine?
Interestingly, I see both cooperation and competition. But I think we need more cooperation and sharing of the information. The BRICS must remember what they owe the world. Cooperation should be on all aspects of life. We hear stories of people of colour being ill-treated in China for example. I think the authorities should investigate that and take appropriate actions to care for others with dignity.
In South Africa as well, the refugee community was almost neglected in the management of the COVID-19. I am glad the government decided to do something about it. BRICS scientists, as well, need collaboration to come up successfully with a solution or vaccine.
Efforts by other scientists need to be taken into account. And as regards Africa, an African solution to Africa’s problem approach should not be neglected or relegated to the backyard. BRICS are partners, they can help each other but they should not replace own efforts towards security and safety.
Vaccine or solutions to the pandemic should not be profit-orientated. In Africa, we believe in Ubuntu. I think our BRICS leaders will not do such a mistake. I am highly optimistic on that.
Generally, what would you consider as the key challenges amid the coronavirus pandemic that has shattered the economy, and how do you see the future of BRICS?
The pandemic has, indeed taken a heavy toll on the global economy. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Brazil, India, Russia, China, and of course, South Africa have high infections after the United States.
The key challenges during the COVID-19 era are: Unpreparedness of the BRICS countries. It came as a surprise and BRICS were caught pants down in most instances. We should view the COVID-19 as an opportunity for better planning, re-engineering of our health facilities and capabilities for prevention.
Lack of financial resources. The poor countries in a dire situation. Most countries had no financial muscles to acquire respirators and PPEs. Russia and China managed to build specialized hospitals within a short time to contain the situation. This is an area where the BRICS Development Bank could make the stark difference if steered in the right direction.
Insufficient coordination. As for the case of South Africa, it is good that the government took the scientific approach in managing the situation. Coordination with public-private partnership could enhance the ability of the state apparatus to serve everybody regardless of their origin. There is still time to ensure that poor including refugees and asylum seekers are humanly served. We cannot be selective in enforcing human rights. Medical assistance, in time of coronavirus, be regarded as basic human right for all. A better coordination will therefore help not only South Africa, but all the countries.
Last but not the least, a holistic approach to fighting the pandemic should be promoted. A human being is not just a body, but it is also a spirit. While scientists and decision makers propose solutions, it must be done in conjunction with means that uplift the spirit as well.
Faith based organizations should equally have a role to play to help the government and to provide interventions of psychological and spiritual nature. A healthy body in a healthy spirit is what we need.
Otherwise, any solution will be half-baked and unsustainable. All the stakeholders must work together. This is not only for South Africa or for the BRICS, but it is also for the entire world.
There is a lot of negative news on TV and Radio channels about the corona. It is time the media grasps the opportunity to serve humanity by focusing on giving hope rather than destroying hope. A balance needs to be set in this regard as well. Media have to exhibit a more constructive role for a better world.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The new pope of the Catholic Church has been revealed as Robert Prevost of the United States, the first American pontiff in history.
Following his emergence, he will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Voting commenced on Wednesday, and after three rounds of black smoke, white smoke billowed above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening.
This is the signal that cardinals had selected a new pontiff on the second day of the conclave.
Prevost, age 69, from Chicago, Illinois, is a leader with global experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and served as a Bishop in Peru. He most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.
There were 133 voting cardinals, who had all been sequestered inside the Vatican during the conclave. Any one of them needed two-thirds of the vote to become the next pope.
“Peace be with you all,” said Leo XIV in his first remarks as pope.
“This is the first greetings of the resurrected Christ, the good shepherd who has given up his life for God,” he said, explaining the choice of his greeting. “And I should also like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts and our families.”
Leo XIV looked visibly emotional as he waved to the adoring crowd in the square below the balcony.
A leader with global experience, he spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.
He worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, where he served from 2014 to 2023.
Prevost also holds a Peruvian passport and has been a Peruvian citizen since 2015.
By Dipo Olowookere
A white smoke was seen from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican City on Thursday evening, signalling the election of a new pope for the Catholic Church.
This is coming a few days after the previous occupier of the position, Pope Francis, was laid to rest after he died on Easter Monday of 2025 at the age of 88 after an illness.
At the moment, the name of the new pope has not been announced. This would be done later by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
About 133 Cardinals partook in the process of electing a new pope, the largest in history, with 103 of them doing this for the first time.
On Wednesday, the Conclave could not finalise the election of a new pope, with a black smoke emanating from the the Sistine Chapel.
Details later…
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Russian President Vladimir Putin invited 29 world leaders to witness the main military parade at Moscow’s Red Square, and used the high-level occasion to review Russia’s diplomatic priorities with African leaders. The African leaders came from Burkina Faso, Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau and Zimbabwe.
By taking part in the Victory Parade in Moscow, the African leaders had the unique chance to review their bilateral relations with the Kremlin, and at least, as part of a broader effort to celebrate their bilateral relations built down these years. Their presence in Moscow showcased the irreversible dynamism, political symbolism and rapidly evolving character of contemporary multifaceted ties, especially during this heightening and deepening of the current world’s geopolitical situation.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are undergoing economic resuscitation, transforming their system of state management and governance, projects financing and production. Burkina Faso has nationalized its natural resources by expelling the France and other western corporate miners. Mali instead have bartered its resources in exchanged for Russia’s military-technical cooperation within an agreement signed in 2023.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, currently run by military governments that have taken power in coups between 2021 and 2022, have a set of common goals to achieve after removal of their elected governments, accusing them of deep-seated corruption and further the exploitative character of western powers through manipulation.
Concretely the main objectives include reaffirming and securing their regional peace, with narratives pointed at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under-performance in this sphere of maintaining security.
In the context of shifting global powers, this regional bloc has to undergo serious restructuring and reforms. The French-speaking members – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – and now with Chad, Senegal and Togo threatening to withdraw and join the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The region is still engulfed with widespread terrorism and violent extremism.That however, the Sahelian States seek to protect their individual political sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Nevertheless, Russia’s growing relations with Alliance of Sahelian States (AES), consisting Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger also provides boundless potential opportunity to recalibrate their foreign policy away from western colonizers. These French-speaking States are strategically collaborating with Russia, and opting for military support within military-technical agreement. The bilateral agreements, a kind of bartering natural resources in exchange for military equipment and modern weaponry to help in enduring the capacity for fighting frequent Islamic attacks and countering terrorism in the region.
The Sahelian leaders appreciated the transformation change and the groundbreaking reality, as Russia is tremendously supporting to raise awareness of the political and economic status, offered them humanitarian packages. Several bilateral agreements have been signed to engage in accelerating economic and trade initiatives, and beyond. On their part, African leaders have also been identifying, monitoring, analyzing strategic threats that may hinder Russian initiatives in Africa. It is in recognition of Russia as a trusted and reliable partner.
Burkina Faso signed a Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear energy with the State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) during the Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg in July 2023. Russia is teaming up with Mali and Niger to exploit their natural resources for undertaking development projects in their respective countries. Quite essentially, the bilateral agreements signed between Mali and Niger are directed at engaging in development their infrastructure which Russia has expressed strong interest to support, and has also despatched military troops to ensure peace and stability.
Central African Republic (CAR) leader, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, has enjoy tremendous support from the Kremlin. There are estimated 2,500 Russian instructors working there, according to local Russian media reports. Russia is constructing the city’s highways, rehabilitating educational building and exploiting the country’s mineral resources to improve living standards of the estimated 5.6 million.
Despite its significant mineral deposits and other resources, such as uranium reserves, crude oil, gold, diamonds, cobalt, lumber, and hydropower, as well as significant quantities of arable land, the Central African Republic is among the ten poorest countries in the world.
Over the years, Russia and the Republic of Congo have had good bilateral relations and, undoubtedly, there are still prospects for strengthening these relations. At this point, highlighting Russia-Congo partnerships have its own perspectives. Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Sassou-Nguesso, in Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow, assertively referred to good potential in several industries, such as energy, the processing industry and agriculture.
Leading Russian companies, including LUKOIL and Yandex, operate effectively in the Congo. Rosatom plans to launch a number of large projects, especially those necessary for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Congo has become the fourth largest oil producer in the Gulf of Guinea, and in 2018, the Republic of the Congo joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
As significant part of the geopolitics and first-class display of diplomatic symbolism for Russia-Africa relations, President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, was invited as one of the African guests celebrating the Victory Day. Teodoro Obiang Nguema also been visiting Moscow.
He was at the Russian Energy Week 2024 and invited Russian investors to take interest in Africa’s natural resource extraction. Such partnerships should not be limited to the production of resources but should include knowledge transfer, technological training, and the promotion of modern energy infrastructure development. Equatorial Guinean leader, however, explained that Africa exists in an era of major changes and challenges.
Equatorial Guinea, believes that energy cooperation should be guided by a fundamental principle: to ensure the stability of energy markets, protecting the most vulnerable segments of the population from market volatility. Energy should not be a weapon, but as a means to achieve common prosperity. The collective responsibility is to ensure that the least developed countries are safely protected from fluctuations in energy prices and are not excluded from the benefits of energy and advanced technology.
Russia’s bilateral relations with Egypt and Ethiopia, has now transcended into a broader partnership in BRICS, the alliance of major developing countries. BRICS, as a multilateral economic and development-oriented cooperation platform, is at the forefront transforming world politics.
Therefore, Egypt and Ethiopia’s presence in Moscow during the May Day celebrations portrayed, in principle, an inevitable victory over western hegemony. Egypt and Ethiopia, and together with Russia, the position of the three resonates as a key collective player in shaping the emerging the world order. It could not have to be understated – Russia, Egypt and Ethiopia have shared strategic ambitions in this contemporary world.
Russia and Guinea-Bissau has had an excellent evolving relations now. President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has visited four times, the lastest was on on February 26, 2025. Embalo participated in the first (2019) and second (2023) Russia-Africa Summits, respectively in southern city of Sochi and cultural capital, St. Petersburg.
On 9th May 2024, Guinea Bissau leader Embalo was one of the special guests to the May Day celebrations at the Red Square and earlier as part of the team to discuss peace initiatives with the Kremlin. That May Day celebrations, Putin stressed that “Africa is now building up capacity and aspires to emerging as an effective powerhouse in a multipolar world with its unique identity by making confident strides in nurturing a genuine sense of political and economic sovereignty.”
It is necessary to remind here that Russia and Guinea-Bissau have previously signed various agreements to bolster trade, economic cooperation and military-technical sphere, and beyond that created working groups on developing and subsequent implementation of programmes and projects particularly in Guinea-Bissau. “There is strong potential and promising opportunities in these areas, as many Russian companies are showing increasing interest in working in the Guinea-Bissauan market,” according to Putin.
Reports indicate that over 70 percent of Guinea-Bissau’s servicemen and civilian officials were trained in the Soviet Union and continued under Russia. Moreover, Russia has increased the quota for Guinea-Bissauan friends for the current year, 2025/26. With population approximately 1.8 million people, Guinea-Bissau faces challenges of ensuring security and more than two-thirds lives below the poverty line. Sharing borders with Guinea (to southeast), Gambia and Senegal (to the north), Guinea-Bissau attained its independence in September 1973.
In terms of Zimbabwe, much has been done. The greatest is Russia involvement in the US$3 billion Darwendale platinum mining project in the sun-scorched location, about 50 km northwest of Harare, the Zimbabwean capital. On 6th March 2025, Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira, signed comprehensive bilateral agreements, including strengthening trade and economic cooperation.
Additional steps that were agreed upon to identify promising areas for joint engagement, particularly in geological exploration, mineral resource development, nuclear energy, agriculture, space technology, and information and communications technologies. In addition, Russia allocated 125 scholarships for Zimbabwean citizens to study at Russian universities.
The Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matviyenko, headed a group of Russian senators went on a reciprocal inter-parliamentary visit to Harare. The delegation delivered a wonderful humanitarian aid to the Angels of Hope Foundation ran by the First Lady, Auxilia Mnangagwa in Harare.
In 2023, President Vladimir Putin despatched tonnes of grains (wheat) under ‘supply at no-cost’ to the people of Zimbabwe. Besides Zimbabwe, other African countries – Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia and Kenya benefited from this humanitarian aid to these African countries. (For further detailed information on this, read the transcript on the Kremlin’s website).
In a quick review, President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed invariable commitment to deepening partnership based on agreements reached during his meetings with President Vladimir Putin, including on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2024. Zimbabwe plans to ascend into BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), an informal association which guarantees building an inclusive, a more fairer world especially for developing countries. Egypt, Ethiopia and South Africa are members, while Uganda and Nigeria are ‘partner states category’ with BRICS. Notwithstanding that, Algeria last year opted to become a share-holder in BRICS Bank, which was established in 2015.
Down the years, African leaders have emphasized the critical importance of delivering factual historical information about the tremendous role of the USSR and Russia in defeating fascism to the younger generation of Africans. During those years, the Soviet Union never colonized Africa, but instead supported Africa in their fight against colonialism and for the liberation of the continent and exploitation by western powers. In the era of shifting geopolitical powers, Africa is also struggling against existing forms of neo-colonialism, and this presents the basis for building and strengthening comprehensive interaction between Russia and Africa.
Worth reiterating that Burkina Faso, Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau and Zimbabwe were given, based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, the authoritative opportunity in the Honor of the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory and the Defenders of the Fatherland. Russia has indicated, several times, its task is to help African peoples rebuild their economies and strengthen their states to prevent future wars. African leaders are reminded of Russia’s assistance in reducing multitude of conflicts in African societies, and weighing in the readiness towards developing a pan-African identity. Without doubts, Russia and Africa share a strong mutual need for speeding up with the creation of a multipolar world.
In conclusion, the significance of their intended interaction, an explicit chance to review the potential opportunities to collaborate in broader economic diversification goals, and possibly forging collaboration through public-private partnerships. Burkina Faso, Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau and Zimbabwe therefore had unique representation here, in the context of 80th anniversary celebrating Victory Day. For now, at least, this exemplifies noticeable ‘friendship and solidarity’ with Africa. In totality, Russia is consistently renewing its thunderous commitment to enhance relations with Africa.
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