The growing representation of the African continent in the BRICS group is a key indicator of Africa’s increasingly prominent place in international affairs, according to Maya Nikolskaya, Acting Director of the Centre for African Studies at MGIMO University.
In an interview with TV BRICS, the expert on Russian-African relations said that Africa is making its voice louder on the international stage, a trend reflected in the African Union’s recent membership in the G20 and South Africa’s current presidency of that group.
“African countries, firstly, want to present themselves as a pole of world politics. Secondly, they are increasingly fitting into the international architecture, wishing to influence existing institutions and being interested in the creation of new ones,” Nikolskaya said. “African states wish to use BRICS, among other institutions, as a platform to enhance their representation.”
She noted that within BRICS, there is now a significant African bloc, with South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia as full members, and Nigeria and Uganda as partners.
Nikolskaya also observed that African states often apply the experience of BRICS countries in their national development strategies, particularly in industrialisation and digitalisation programmes. She pointed to Nigeria and Uganda’s strategies, which reference the experiences of China, India, and Brazil.
“In my view, primarily technology transfer” is what BRICS countries can offer each other, Nikolskaya said. “What does BRICS offer Africa? BRICS says, ‘We will give you technologies; we will give you investments so that you can grow and develop.'”
She highlighted that Russia is very interested in the African market for its technologies and as a source of labour, given Africa’s enormous and growing workforce.
To develop this human capital, Nikolskaya said, platforms that promote “people-to-people” contacts are needed, such as academic exchanges and a potential volunteer platform for all BRICS member and partner states.
On the topic of renewable energy, she said Africa will play a major role in rethinking the concept of green energy and the energy transition for developing countries. She argued that nuclear energy is the “green energy Africa needs,” rather than wind turbines which require large investments in infrastructure.
“The main goal is industrialisation, without which economic growth is impossible. And if this quasi-green energy is imposed on states, the African economy could simply be ‘stifled’, depriving it of the chance to develop,” she said.
Regarding the development of new settlement mechanisms within BRICS, Nikolskaya said this is a key goal that will require deep systemic restructuring. While there is no talk of a single currency for now, developing systems like BRICS Pay and opening correspondent accounts between banks are necessary first steps to make trade and investment easier.
She also affirmed South Africa’s major role as a link between BRICS and the African continent, noting its importance in the Global South track of cooperation.
Looking at the New Development Bank, Nikolskaya said projects in transport infrastructure, water supply, and energy have been priorities, but digital infrastructure will certainly come to the forefront to support needs like agricultural monitoring and food security.
Finally, she drew a parallel between the traditional African ethical concept of “ubuntu,” based on humanism and mutual respect, and the principles of BRICS.
“It seems to me that BRICS has very well captured it within itself as a symbol of striving for a new, fairer world order that will benefit all,” she concluded.
