Background

From August 22nd to 24th, 2023, leaders from the BRICS countries convened at the XV BRICS Summit in South Africa under the theme: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism". The summit's agenda spanned critical topics such as the potential expansion of BRICS, inclusive multilateralism, discussions on currency matters, green industrialisation and trade and infrastructure advancement.

The summit concluded with an invitation to six countries to become full members of BRICS in January 2024. With BRICS nations collectively representing over 40% of the global population and around 26% of the world economy, their combined influence is undeniable. So, what does an expanded BRICS mean for the bloc? Also, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Sahel region, particularly in the Republic of Niger, and the situation in Sudan and Libya, the summit emphasised the importance of peace and global stability.

On the BRICS currency discussion, the Summit tasked the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, as appropriate, to consider the issue of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms. The BRICS affirmed their commitment to playing a crucial role in facilitating peace talks and providing an alternative to Western-dominated diplomatic channels. The Summit also delved into the complexities of achieving a just transition towards energy systems that are more sustainable, reaffirmed commitment to the African Union Agenda 2063 and backed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) integration.

The endorsement of the African Union's G20 membership at the New Delhi G20 Summit marked another key BRICS Summit outcome. So what do these mean for intra-BRICS cooperation and BRICS-Africa relations? What is next, what were the missed opportunities and how can BRCS consolidate its progress so far?

The Webinar

To answer these questions and more, APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute convened experts to discuss and reflect on the summit's key outcomes and provide forward-looking recommendations on enhancing the framework of intra-BRICS cooperation and BRICS-Africa relations. The webinar also evaluated South Africa in BRICS and their leadership as BRICS chair.

The Speakers

Professor Bhaso Ndzendze

Professor Bhaso Ndzendze, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa and non-resident research fellow of APRI.

Professor Tim Murithi

Professor Tim Murithi, Head of the Peacebuilding Interventions Programme at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape Town and Extraordinary Professor of African Studies at the Centre for African and Gender Studies, University of the Free State.

Luanda Mpungose

Luanda Mpungose, Outreach and Partnership Manager at SAIIA.

Moderation

Dr. Philani Mthembu

Dr. Philani Mthembu is Executive Director at the Institute for Global Dialogue, an independent foreign policy think tank based in Tshwane, South Africa.