File picture of the Outreach/BRICS Plus format session at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 24, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Nigeria has been admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, according to Brazil, the group’s chair.

BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, with South Africa added in 2010, as a counterweight to the Group of Seven (G-7) leading industrialised nations.

In 2023, the bloc added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE, while Saudi Arabia has been invited to join.

Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become BRICS members, while a few others have also expressed interest.

Nigeria becomes the ninth BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

“With the world’s sixth-largest population — and Africa’s largest — as well as being one of the continent’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other members of BRICS,” the Brazil government said in a statement on Friday.

“It plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and in reforming global governance — issues that are top priorities during Brazil’s current presidency,” it added.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last year threatened 100% tariffs against BRICS if they act to undermine the US dollar.

The bloc’s leaders have voiced their commitment to introduce an alternative payment system that would not be dependent on the dollar.

(FILES) Handout picture released by the Brazilian Presidency showing Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) posing for a picture with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto before the launch of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and the first session of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18, 2024. Brazil on January 6, 2025, announced that Indonesia had become a full member of BRICS, a bloc of developing economies increasingly seen as a counterweight to the West. Brazil, which holds the rotating presidency of the grouping in 2025, said Indonesia’s bid to join the bloc had been approved during a summit in 2023 in Johannesburg.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Indonesia has been admitted as a full member of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, the group’s presiding country Brazil announced Monday (January 6, 2024).

Indonesia’s candidacy was endorsed by BRICS leaders in August 2023, according to the Foreign Ministry of Brazil, which holds the group’s presidency for 2024. However, the world’s fourth-most populous nation opted to formally join the bloc only after the formation of its newly elected government last year.

“The Brazilian government welcomes Indonesia’s entry into the BRICS,” the government said in a statement. “With the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia shares with other members a commitment to reforming global governance institutions and contributes positively to deepening South-South cooperation.”

BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, and added South Africa in 2010. Last year, the alliance expanded to embrace Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudia Arabia has been invited to join, but has not yet done so.

Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become members, and a few others have expressed interest.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
| Photo Credit: AP

NATO member Turkiye has applied for membership in the BRICS bloc of developing economies, a senior Kremlin official said on Wednesday (September 4, 2024), as Russia and China seek to counter the West’s global influence.

Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs aide, told reporters that Turkiye has submitted an application “for full membership” in the bloc that Russia this year chairs, and it will be considered.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated several times that his country aspires to become a member of the BRICS alliance, according to Omer Celik, a spokesman for Erdogan’s ruling party. But Mr. Celik stopped short this week of confirming that Turkiye has applied formally.

The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. It recently has undergone an expansion, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has said it’s considering joining, and Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied.

BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of major emerging economies to counterbalance the Western-led global order. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Mr. Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades, has sought to carve a more independent foreign policy for Turkiye and to enhance its global influence. The country is also frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union.

Last week, Mr. Erdogan said Turkiye should “simultaneously” develop relations with both the East and the West.

Turkiye, which straddles Europe and Asia, joined the NATO military alliance in 1952. It began talks to join the European Union in 2005 but the negotiations have stalled due to concerns over democratic regression under Erdogan’s administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member, among other challenges.

BRICS is expected to discuss taking in new members in a meeting in Russia next month.

Mr. Putin earlier this year welcomed Turkiye’s interest in the bloc and promised that Moscow “will support this aspiration and desire to be together with the countries of this alliance, to be together, closer, to solve common problems.”

On Monday, Mr. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Turkiye expressed interest in joining BRICS.