Our website use cookies to improve and personalize your experience and to display advertisements (if any). Our website may also include cookies from third parties like Google Adsense, Google Analytics, and Youtube. By using the website, you consent to the use of cookies.

BRICS countries must “pivot from crisis management to strategic action, from emergency fixes to collective growth and development”

BRICS countries must “pivot from crisis management to strategic action, from emergency fixes to collective growth and development”

WE are witnessing seismic shifts in global trade that present both challenges and opportunities in the re-ordering of the global economy.  There is a shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world.  This moment is marked by intensifying global competition and growing geopolitical tensions. Unilateral tariff actions are contributing to an increasingly protectionist environment, which poses great hardships and danger for the countries of the Global South. The uncertainty of the new trading regime has already negatively affected employment levels in my own country, South Africa, and is an obstacle to our economic growth. We are therefore supportive of meaningful…
Read More
Africa pivots east: How Trump’s trade war is reshaping continental alliances

Africa pivots east: How Trump’s trade war is reshaping continental alliances

US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff offensive against Africa has triggered the most significant realignment of the continent's trade relationships in decades, with African governments scrambling to cushion economic blows while pivoting toward alternative partnerships that could fundamentally reset global power dynamics. The tariff regime, which took effect on August 7, 2025, has struck at the heart of African economies with unprecedented severity. South Africa, the continent's most industrialised economy, faces a crushing 30% tariff on all exports to the United States -effectively ending more than two decades of preferential trade access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)…
Read More
Trump’s BRICS tariff ultimatum fractures global economic order

Trump’s BRICS tariff ultimatum fractures global economic order

THE world's economic architecture shuddered this week as President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum that could reshape international trade for decades: any nation aligning with BRICS policies will face an immediate 10% tariff penalty, with no exceptions. The declaration, delivered through Trump's characteristic social media bluntness, targets the coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - along with their expanding circle of partners - representing nearly half of humanity and 40% of global economic output. The move comes as Washington races against a self-imposed July 9 deadline to finalise trade agreements with nearly 100 countries. "Any country aligning…
Read More
BRICS at the crossroads of global governance

BRICS at the crossroads of global governance

THE world today is at an inflexion point, faced by a rabidly hostile and vengeful unipolarity, a deepening crisis in multilateralism and respect for international law, rampant greed and odious wealth, grinding poverty and the visible effects of disasters and climate change. In her valuable book, Shock Therapy (2008), Naomi Klein illustrates cogently that none of these developments are accidental. They are, she suggests, manifestations of the practice of “shock and awe”, a strategy of the powerful designed to use war threats and civil conflict to generate sufficient chaos for rampant looting of the resources of developing nations and thus…
Read More
What leadership does Africa need, and how do we achieve It?

What leadership does Africa need, and how do we achieve It?

THE face of geopolitics changed dramatically following the Presidential election in America. Africa is clearly not a priority for the current leader of the free world, and Europe is gearing up to become an even more substantial voice in global politics. South Africa's current alignment with the BRICS family presents both opportunities and challenges. On the continent, government debt, slow economic growth, and corruption hinder forward economic mobility. Against this backdrop, we as leaders should consider the following strategies: Prioritize boosting economic growth by "throwing off the chains" of regulation Fight corruption through actions, not just words Avoid populist and…
Read More
Nigeria’s BRICS partnership: economist outlines potential benefits

Nigeria’s BRICS partnership: economist outlines potential benefits

DURING its 16th annual summit in Kazan, Russia, Brics – a group of emerging economies determined to act as a counterweight to the West and to whittle down the influence of global institutions – invited Nigeria and eight other countries to join it as “partner” countries. Nigeria formally accepted the invitation in January 2025. That invitation has generated questions about how Nigeria stands to benefit, especially when US President Donald Trump is threatening to sanction members of the group if they replace the US dollar as a reserve currency. It was established in 2006 and initially composed of Brazil, Russia,…
Read More
BRICS: growth of China-led bloc raises questions about a rapidly shifting world order

BRICS: growth of China-led bloc raises questions about a rapidly shifting world order

BRICS has emerged as a significant international force since 2009 when it was established at a summit in Russia. What began as a five-member group encompassing Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is now expanding with the integration of five new members and eight new partner countries. Even more countries may be joining in the next few years. This growth raises essential questions about whether Brics will challenge the leadership of traditional powers such as the US, UK and the European Union. But analysts are also questioning how united the bloc really is and whether a perceived lack of…
Read More
BRICS+ countries are determined to trade in their own currencies – but can it work?

BRICS+ countries are determined to trade in their own currencies – but can it work?

BRICS+ countries are exploring how they can foster greater use of local currencies in their trade, instead of relying on a handful of major currencies, primarily the US dollar and the euro. The forum for cooperation among nine leading emerging economies – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates – emphasised this determination at their 16th summit in October 2024. Economist Lauren Johnston recently wrote a paper on this development. The Conversation Africa asked her for her insights. Why do Brics+ countries want to trade in local currencies? There are economic and political reasons…
Read More
BRICS+ could shape a new world order, but it lacks shared values and a unified identity

BRICS+ could shape a new world order, but it lacks shared values and a unified identity

THE last two summits of Brics countries have raised questions about the coalition’s identity and purpose. This began to come into focus at the summit hosted by South Africa in 2023, and more acutely at the recent 2024 summit in Kazan, Russia. At both events, the alliance undertook to expand its membership. In 2023, the first five Brics members – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – invited Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join. All bar Saudi Arabia have now done so. The 2024 summit pledged to admit 13 more, perhaps as associates…
Read More
Ramaphosa calls for BRICS to foster development and peace in Global South

Ramaphosa calls for BRICS to foster development and peace in Global South

SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged BRICS nations to leverage their platform to improve living conditions across the Global South, while calling for urgent action to address conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and other regions. Speaking at the conclusion of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Ramaphosa emphasized that the BRICS platform should be used "to contribute to social, economic and cultural development of our peoples." The South African leader welcomed Russian initiatives aimed at strengthening transport networks and connectivity between BRICS nations, noting that such projects could help "integrate and deepen our interconnectedness in new and imaginative ways."…
Read More