Ethiopia's Membership in BRICS: Opportunities and Challenges

This article examines Ethiopia’s joining of BRICS in January 2024, providing an explanation on how this accession can lead to an expansion of development opportunities for the nation and elevates the global position and diplomacy of the country. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach consisting of document analysis, comparative analysis, and content analysis within the timeframe January-June 2024, the article assesses alignment between the objectives of Ethiopia and the joint objective of BRICS in areas of infrastructure, agriculture, industry, trade, and security.
The major conclusions drawn from this article are that: the sentiment of Ethiopian media on Ethiopia joining the BRICS is predominantly positive at 80%; nevertheless, there is an evident trade imbalance, whereby the contribution of BRICS member nations to Ethiopia's imports stands at 34.29%, while their contribution to Ethiopia's exports stands at 7.65%. There are also specific benefits driving Ethiopia's accession include New Development Bank financing, infrastructure modernization, and technology transfer to the agricultural and energy sector.
The article highlights the economic benefits associated with increased market access, investments, technology transfer, and the establishment of financial instruments led by BRICS nations, while at the same time analysing issues such as geopolitics, governance constraints, institutional capacity gaps, and macroeconomic vulnerabilities. The article ends with specific policy recommendations that can assist Ethiopia in harnessing the full potential of BRICS and fostering south-south collaboration.

Ethiopia, BRICS, Africa, Multipolarity

1. Panova, V. BRICS as the Core of the World Majority / V. Panova // International Trends. – 2024. – Vol. 22, No. 1. – P. 78-95. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Kirton, J. BRICS and Global Governance / J. Kirton, M. Larionova. – London : Routledge, 2022. – 320 p. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Degterev, D. Re-Sovereignising Africa in the Context of the New World Order Formation / D. Degterev // Journal of the Institute for African Studies. – 2024. – No. 4. – P. 29-48. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. BRICS. Johannesburg II Declaration [Electronic resource] / BRICS Summit. – 2023. – Mode of access. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Suslov, D. BRICS and the "World Majority": Towards a New Global Order / D. Suslov, T. Bordachev // International Trends. – 2024. – Vol. 22, No. 2. – P. 12-28. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. New Development Bank. Annual Report 2023–2024 [Electronic resource] / New Development Bank. – 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Batalov, E. Polycentric World: Theoretical Analysis / E. Batalov. – Moscow : MGIMO, 2012. – 210 p. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Abramova, I. Africa's Growing Role in the Polycentric World Order / I. Abramova // Journal of the Institute for African Studies. – 2018. – No. 2. – P. 45-67. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Mugabi, B. Opportunities and Challenges of Uganda's BRICS Partnership / B. Mugabi // HSE Conference Proceedings. – 2024. – P. 112-125. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Ethiopia's BRICS Membership: Opportunities and Risks [Electronic resource] / Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Onero Institute. Ethiopia in BRICS: Motivation, Opportunities and Strategic Implications [Electronic resource] / Onero Institute. – 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Ethiopia Business Review. Ethiopia's BRICS Accession: Economic Prospects [Electronic resource] / Ethiopia Business Review. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Ethiopian National Security Policy. – Addis Ababa : Government Press, 2002. – 45 p. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Zelenova, D. African Union and BRICS: Mutual Interests and Shared Values / D. Zelenova, T. Andreeva // HSE Working Papers. – 2024. – No. 12. – P. 1-28. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Trinity College Dublin. Ethiopia Wants to Join the BRICS Group of Nations: Here Are the Pros and Cons [Electronic resource] / Trinity College Dublin. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Diplomatist. Ethiopia's Geopolitical Interests in BRICS+ [Electronic resource] / Diplomatist. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Xinhua. Ethiopia's BRICS Membership Enhances Access to Opportunities, Drives Economic Growth [Electronic resource] / Xinhua. – 2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Energy Capital & Power. Ethiopia Seeks Membership in the BRICS New Development Bank [Electronic resource] / Energy Capital & Power. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Business Insider Africa. Ethiopia Set to Become Fourth African Member of BRICS New Development Bank [Electronic resource] / Business Insider Africa. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Policy Studies Institute. Advancing Ethiopia's Strategic Interests Through BRICS / Policy Studies Institute. – Addis Ababa : PSI Press, 2025. – 78 p. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Shubin, V. South Africa: A New Stage in BRICS Participation / V. Shubin // Asian and African Studies. – 2024. – No. 3. – P. 112-130. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Bokeriya, S. The "Security-Development" Concept in BRICS Activities / S. Bokeriya // Tomsk State University Journal. – 2020. – No. 454. – P. 123-130. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Chen, Y. Addressing the Cost of Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway & Implications for Ethiopia's Railway / Y. Chen // CARI Policy Brief. – 2021. – No. 12. – P. 1-24. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• China in South Asia and South America: Connections, Intersections and Similarities
• Prospects and Impediments to China-Africa Sports Cooperation in the Contemporary Era
• Decolonising International Relations: African Perspectives on Global Justice - The Case of the Gambia in the International Court of Justice.
• Climate - Induced Displacement and its Implications on Human Security: A Case Study of Ghana
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) in Promoting and Protecting Local Industries in West Africa (2015 – 2024)