In recent years, the BRICS group—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has risen as a formidable player in global affairs, positioning itself as an alternative to the Western-dominated geopolitical order led by the United States.
With Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. President, tensions between the U.S. and BRICS have intensified. Trump has openly criticized BRICS, threatening tariffs and economic measures if these nations pursue initiatives like a new currency to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
This hostility underscores the U.S. perception of BRICS as a threat, particularly as a source of geopolitical power for developing countries, including those in Africa. In this context, African nations have a compelling opportunity to lean more towards BRICS during Trump’s administration.
In an increasingly multipolar world, African nations must seize this moment to chart their own course. By aligning with BRICS during Trump’s administration, they can reduce vulnerability to U.S. policies, tap into new opportunities, and strengthen their global standing.
By doing so, they can unlock economic opportunities, assert their political sovereignty, push for reforms in global governance, diversify their international partnerships, and pursue shared development goals.
Economic Opportunities
A primary reason for African nations to deepen ties with BRICS is the substantial economic potential these countries offer. BRICS nations, especially China, have become major investors in Africa, driving infrastructure development, trade, and economic growth.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) exemplifies this commitment, with projects like the Mombasa-Nairobi railway in Kenya and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway transforming transportation and trade across East Africa. These initiatives improve connectivity, create jobs, and boost local economies, offering tangible benefits to African populations.
Beyond China, other BRICS members contribute significantly. Russia has expanded its footprint in Africa’s energy and security sectors, collaborating on nuclear power projects in Egypt and South Africa and supplying arms to various nations. India has strengthened trade ties, focusing on agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and information technology, while also providing development assistance through platforms like the India-Africa Forum Summit.
Brazil shares its expertise in tropical agriculture, helping African countries enhance food security and productivity. South Africa, as both a BRICS member and an African nation, plays a unique role in facilitating cooperation between the bloc and the continent.
Additionally, the New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS, supports infrastructure and sustainable development projects, some of which benefit African nations. Unlike Western aid, which often comes with stringent political or economic conditions, BRICS investments tend to prioritize mutual benefit over interference.
This transactional approach appeals to African leaders seeking to preserve their autonomy while securing resources for growth. By aligning with BRICS, African nations can tap into alternative funding streams, reducing reliance on Western financial institutions and potentially negotiating more favorable terms.
Politically, BRICS offers African nations a partnership that aligns with their aspirations for sovereignty and independence. The bloc champions a multipolar world order, challenging the hegemony of Western powers, particularly the United States.
This vision resonates with African countries that have endured centuries of colonization, exploitation, and marginalization by Western nations. BRICS summit declarations consistently emphasize sovereignty, non-interference, and mutual respect—principles that contrast with the U.S.’s history of imposing sanctions, military interventions, or conditional aid on African states.
For example, while the U.S. has sometimes tied assistance to political reforms or human rights demands, BRICS countries generally refrain from such criticism, offering a partnership model that respects African autonomy.
This approach allows African leaders to pursue their own development paths without external pressure. By leaning towards BRICS, African nations can strengthen their position on the global stage, asserting their right to self-determination in a world often dominated by Western interests.
A Voice for Africa
BRICS also provides African nations with an ally in advocating for a more equitable international system. The bloc has consistently called for reforms in global governance institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which are widely criticized for favoring Western powers. African countries, despite their significant numbers, have long been underrepresented in these bodies. BRICS’s push for change—such as expanding the UNSC to include more developing nations—could open opportunities for African states to gain greater influence, potentially securing permanent seats.
By collaborating with BRICS, African nations can amplify their demands for fair representation and decision-making power. This partnership offers a platform to address historical imbalances and ensure that global policies better reflect the needs and priorities of the developing world. In an era where Trump’s administration appears focused on maintaining U.S. dominance, aligning with BRICS strengthens Africa’s ability to advocate for a more just global order.
Trump’s confrontational stance towards BRICS, including threats of tariffs and economic penalties, highlights the risks of over-reliance on the U.S. For African nations, diversifying partnerships is a strategic necessity. Programs like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty-free access to the U.S. market, are valuable but come with conditions and could be disrupted by shifts in U.S. policy. A more hostile Trump administration might further complicate these arrangements, leaving African economies exposed.
Engaging with BRICS offers a buffer against such uncertainties. By building stronger ties with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, African countries can expand their trade, investment, and development options. This diversification enhances economic resilience, allowing nations to navigate global tensions without being overly dependent on any single power. In a volatile geopolitical climate, having multiple partners is not just an advantage—it’s a safeguard.
Shared Goals
BRICS and African nations share common challenges and ambitions, including poverty reduction, industrialization, and sustainable development. This alignment creates a foundation for meaningful collaboration.
For instance, India’s expertise in information technology could help African countries develop digital economies, while China’s manufacturing prowess could support industrialization efforts. Russia’s advancements in energy and Brazil’s agricultural innovations offer additional avenues for cooperation. Meanwhile, South Africa’s experience as a developing economy within BRICS provides insights relevant to the continent’s needs.
In areas like renewable energy, BRICS countries have made significant progress that could benefit Africa’s efforts to address energy poverty and climate change. By partnering with BRICS, African nations gain access to technology, expertise, and markets that accelerate their development. This synergy fosters a relationship grounded in mutual benefit, where both sides work towards lifting populations out of poverty and building sustainable futures.
Critics of closer ties with BRICS point to potential risks. Some argue that the bloc lacks cohesion, with members like India and China clashing over territorial issues, or Brazil and South Africa grappling with domestic instability.
Others warn of over-dependence on China, which dominates BRICS economically, raising concerns about debt traps or resource exploitation. These are valid considerations, as some BRICS investments have been criticized for prioritizing strategic interests over African development.
However, African nations can address these challenges through strategic engagement. They can negotiate terms that protect their sovereignty and ensure equitable partnerships, engaging not just with China but with all BRICS members to balance influence.
By diversifying within the bloc and beyond, African countries can mitigate risks while maximizing benefits. The key is to approach BRICS as a partner, not a savior, leveraging these relationships to advance national interests.
As President Trump’s administration doubles down on its opposition to BRICS, African nations stand at a crossroads. Leaning towards BRICS offers a path to diversify economic and political partnerships, assert sovereignty, reform global governance, and pursue shared development goals.
The economic investments from China’s railways to India’s tech initiatives, the political alignment on sovereignty, and the push for a fairer world order all present compelling reasons to deepen ties. While challenges like dependency and bloc cohesion exist, they can be managed through careful strategy and negotiation.
In an increasingly multipolar world, African nations must seize this moment to chart their own course. By aligning with BRICS during Trump’s administration, they can reduce vulnerability to U.S. policies, tap into new opportunities, and strengthen their global standing.
The potential rewards—economic growth, political empowerment, and sustainable progress—make this a journey worth embarking on, positioning Africa as a proactive player in shaping the future.
The writer is a Ugandan Journalist with passion for current African affairs.
adamkungu7@gmail.com