In an exclusive interview with Sputnik Africa, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, South Africa's Minister of Small Business Development, shared her insights on the potential expansion of BRICS and the opportunities it could bring to the African business sector.
The extended BRICS+ format, introduced at this year's summit, aims to explore additional member states that can contribute value to the alliance. Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams acknowledged the benefits that South Africa has derived from being a member and expressed confidence that other countries could also benefit from joining BRICS.
She emphasized the importance of inclusive growth and ensuring that the expansion encompasses countries that can add value to the BRICS family.
"Just like [BRICS states] gave us an opportunity in South Africa, they will be able to consider countries that will add value to the BRICS family for the benefit of our people in their respective countries," the minister said. "And that would mean more opportunities for the people that come from these countries on trade, on governance, on security related and political matters."
However, the minister also stressed that the decision to include new member states is a matter of high-level discussions among the responsible ministers and heads of state.
Ndabeni-Abrahams stressed that maintaining the unity and core principles that unite the BRICS nations must remain paramount as the bloc seeks to strike a delicate balance between expansion and cohesion.
"What's important again is no to lose what joins us together as the BRICS," she told Sputnik Africa. "It's about the developing countries that are coming together in order to look at governance and security matters and other global political issues, whilst we increase trade, also."
As the BRICS Summit nurtures an inclusive dialogue, the focus remains on the common objectives and mutual interests shared by member states. The alliance serves as a platform for emerging economies to advance their development agendas, strengthen trade ties, and navigate global challenges collectively.
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams concluded by expressing optimism that any country with the potential to contribute to the BRICS objectives would be warmly welcomed and accommodated within the alliance.
On Tuesday, the 15th BRICS Summit kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa, where leaders will consider expanding the group's membership to include other emerging economies, including Nigeria, Indonesia, Venezuela, Turkiye and Egypt. The move is expected to increase the group's diversity and influence in global affairs.