During the South African summit of the BRICS in August 2023, the organisation welcomed six new countries as forum members. The countries that granted membership were Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In January 2024, Ethiopia officially joined the BRICS group, along with Egypt, Iran, and the UAE, while Argentina’s new government rejected the BRICS membership. In contrast, Saudi Arabia is still contemplating joining the organisation. With this expansion, BRICS can aim for economic balance and stability by countering Western dominance and hegemony. By joining BRICS, Ethiopia becomes part of a multilateral system in a changing world order where many new powers are emerging along with different strategic alliances and collaborations to uplift and uphold its national interest.
Ethiopia is the second most populous country on the African continent and is considered one of the least developed countries. However, due to the foreign direct investments (FDI) in different sectors like agriculture and industries, Ethiopia can be seen as a fast-growing and emerging economy in the Sub-Saharan African region. However, it needs resources and support from the developed and developing countries, along with the help of various international organisations, to achieve stability and necessary development for the country. The entry of Ethiopia into BRICS is expected to be its ticket to attain its goals of national interests to survive in a fast-growing world. Ethiopia may not have been the most suitable choice for the BRICS group compared to other African countries like Nigeria, which has a larger population, and Kenya, which has a better economy. However, BRICS views Ethiopia as an emerging economic and regional power for the near future. Due to the disinterest or non-application of those countries, Ethiopia was selected due to its geographical advantage in bringing regional balance among the African representation, involving South Africa and Egypt.
Ethiopia is located in the strategic Horn of Africa, near the crucial Red Sea trading routes. As a result, BRICS considers this an influential region for trade and development, with Ethiopia acting as a gateway to both West Asia and Africa. Even the country wants to stand as the face of BRICS and represent this strategic geopolitical position in the region. Ethiopia wants to use the opportunity of the BRICS membership, especially in the economic sphere, to uplift the state. The country that faces many domestic challenges, mainly due to the aftermath of internal conflicts, needs potential alliances from the emerging economies to build a strong financial foundation. Through this, Ethiopia plans to achieve its interests towards the development goals and state strategic autonomy in the region.
The growing debt size and loans provided by the Western-led traditional financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB), are pushing Ethiopia to the brink of choking. These financial institutions’ stringent nature and strong conditionalities keep the country distressed with debt and grappling. Therefore, Ethiopia seeks BRICS membership to connect to alternative sources for its financial support. Countries like China, India, Brazil, and Russia are the fastest-growing economies capable of backing a country like Ethiopia. Already, Ethiopia is being financially helped by China and India with essential loans and economic support. Ethiopia can pursue financial support from BRICS institutions like the New Development Bank (NDB), which has equal share contributions from the initial five member states, instead of relying on the Western-dominated institutions for development projects. Ethiopia sees the NDB as a significant economic opportunity to manage the ongoing financial challenges and ensure a sustainable promise for future development.
Ethiopia anticipates an increase in FDI from BRICS member countries through its membership, which can support the government in enhancing its presence in global trade markets. Additionally, technology transfer and knowledge sharing by countries like China and India could catalyse Ethiopia’s progress and modernisation of its economy following the BRICS expansion. Through the BRICS membership, Ethiopia is trying to send a strong message to its Western counterparts that it can lean towards non-Western powers for its sustenance. For the least developed countries like Ethiopia, involving a changing world order, where multiple power poles are getting established, creates an opportunity and a voice to be heard by the world. With this, the country becomes a strong promoter of South-South cooperation, contributing to restructuring the global governance system.
During all these years, Ethiopia faced external pressure, and its foreign policy favoured Western powers in meeting its needs. However, its membership in the BRICS group sends a clear message to the West that Ethiopia is rethinking its alliances and is open and ready to go in all new directions. Ultimately, it is not the satisfaction of other external actors that matters; instead, it is significant that the country’s interest is upheld and protected. As a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, presently known as the African Union (AU), it has the potential to take a leadership role and enhance its presence on the world stage from the African region. Ethiopia’s decision to join BRICS has come at a very crucial moment, as it has tensions with the neighbouring country, Somalia, regarding complexities in its geopolitical strategic position. Therefore, Ethiopia expects the BRICS member countries, which are emerging powers, to leverage peace in the region without much interference from the West. Aligning with powerful countries enhances Ethiopia’s diplomatic leverage in directing different sensitive geopolitical issues.
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