The issue of BRICS expansion may be included at the initiative of the African side on the agenda of the second Russia–Africa summit, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador Oleg Ozerov said in an interview with the Russian media.
"A number of African countries have expressed their intention to join BRICS, and some have already submitted official applications," he said. "Given that the BRICS summit is planned for August, this topic may also be touched upon at the Russia-Africa summit if our African partners so wish."
Along with this, Ozerov noted, issues of bilateral relations, including in the economic sphere, will be addressed.
The diplomat stressed that if before the start of Russia's special operation in Ukraine trade with African countries was conducted mainly through Western exchanges, now it is possible to organize direct deliveries of both Russian and African goods.
Ozerov added that the summit will also discuss the setting up of own production on the continent.
"African countries would like to receive agricultural technology and equipment from Russia. This issue is also relevant to food security, and it will be considered within the both political summit and the economic and humanitarian forum," he pointed out.
The diplomat concluded that African countries are also interested in cooperation with Russia, because "they want to have alternatives, to be able to choose, to expand the number of partners."
On Path to Expansion
BRICS currently consists of five countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), and represents 40% of the world's population and nearly one-third of the world economy.
Recently, the G7 has lagged behind the bloc's members in terms of economic development, the International Monetary Fund said.
The subject of the BRICS expansion will be included on the agenda of its summit to be held in South Africa in August, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in mid-June.
A range of countries, including Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, intend to join the economic group.
Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Argentina, Iran and Bangladesh have already applied for membership.