BRICS Welcomes New Member Nations to Its Alliance

In Brief:

Following its expansion to ten member nations earlier this year, the BRICS alliance is attracting more prospective members.

Multiple new nations have confirmed their intentions to join the bloc and work to eliminate the US Dollar.

‍

BRICS Welcomes New Member Nations to Its Alliance

‍

BRICS Alliance Expands Further

After expanding to ten member nations earlier this year, the BRICS alliance is seeing increased interest from additional countries. Several new nations have confirmed their plans to join the bloc, aiming to reduce reliance on the US Dollar. The current BRICS members are Russia, India, China, South Africa, Brazil, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and the UAE.

During the Summer 2023 summit, BRICS extended invitations to six new countries, with only Argentina declining. A similar number of invitations is expected at the upcoming October summit in Russia. Approximately 40 nations have shown interest in joining the alliance, with several already submitting official applications.

Zimbabwe and Other Nations Show Interest

Zimbabwe is one of the countries expressing interest in joining BRICS. Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Zimbabwe's defense minister, announced the country's intentions at the “World Majority for a Multipolar World” forum held in Russia.

‍

Other developing nations are also keen to join BRICS, seeking economic support and growth. The BRICS alliance aims to not only challenge the US Dollar and Western economic dominance but also to uplift developing countries.

‍

By attracting these nations, BRICS is gaining more support to eventually replace the US Dollar as the primary global reserve currency.

‍

“BRICS attracts a diverse group of potential members due to its shared goal of creating a more balanced global economic landscape,” says Paul Frimpong, founder and executive director of the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory.

‍

He notes that BRICS' expansion into the global south provides these countries with greater influence in international affairs.

‍

ASEAN nations have also expressed interest in joining BRICS. The list of countries interested in joining the alliance is extensive and continually evolving. With growing interest each month, the list of BRICS members could expand significantly by October.