JOHANNESBURG – The upcoming BRICS summit of emerging economies will be held in a virtual format on September 8, a shift confirmed by India’s Foreign Ministry this week. The online meeting, initiated by Brazil which currently holds the rotating presidency of the bloc, signals a strategic pivot for the group’s first gathering since its historic expansion in 2024.
The announcement clarifies the operational plans for the group, which now consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This will be the first major meeting for the “BRICS Plus” members, offering a crucial platform to integrate new voices and solidify the group’s enlarged agenda. A Brazilian official cited “logistical and technical scheduling reasons” for the choice of a digital format, allowing for the swift coordination of the now ten-member bloc.
For African nations and observers, the summit is being closely watched. The inclusion of Egypt and Ethiopia last year was a landmark moment, significantly amplifying the continent’s representation and economic weight within the multipolar alliance. The virtual meeting is expected to focus on key issues of paramount importance to Africa, including:
· Intra-BRICS Trade and Local Currencies: Progress on the bloc’s ambition to reduce dependency on the US dollar and facilitate trade using local currencies, a move that could empower African economies.
· The New Development Bank (NDB): Further defining the role of the BRICS-backed bank in funding infrastructure and sustainable development projects across the Global South, with a focus on Africa’s pressing needs.
· Geopolitical Coordination: Discussing shared challenges and fostering a unified stance on international issues, providing a larger platform for African perspectives on the global stage.
“The shift to an online format doesn’t diminish the significance of this meeting,” said Dr. Adaobi Nwosu, a Lagos-based economist specializing in South-South cooperation. “For Africa, with two seats now firmly at the table, this summit is about turning the promise of expansion into tangible mechanisms for trade, investment, and greater geopolitical agency. The focus will be on the substance of the dialogue, not the venue.”
This virtual gathering sets the stage for a potentially more substantive in-person summit in Russia later this year, where the full bloc of ten nations is expected to meet physically for the first time.
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