By John Ikani
Nigeria and 12 other countries have joined BRICS as partner nations, expanding the organization’s global partnerships.
This development, announced at the conclusion of the BRICS summit in Russia, signals BRICS’ continued strategy to engage with other emerging economies across the world, although these new entrants will not have full membership status.
The nations newly partnered with BRICS include Algeria, Thailand, Belarus, Bolivia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
These countries join Nigeria in the expanded network, while earlier in January, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates were officially granted full membership status.
Initially established by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS was formed to drive mutual trade, investment, development, and global peace efforts.
The alliance first convened in Russia in 2009 as BRIC, expanding two years later to include South Africa, which formally joined the bloc in 2011.
This year’s BRICS summit, themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,” marked its 16th annual gathering and was the first for Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE in their new roles as full members of the organization.
