Nigeria, 12 others join BRICS as partner countries

Nigeria has joined the BRICS bloc as a partner country, enhancing its economic linkages with the intergovernmental alliance alongside 12 other nations.

The announcement was made during the sixteenth annual BRICS summit, which took place in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024.

With the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,” the summit underscored the bloc’s commitment to integrating emerging economies and promoting global economic stability.

A post on X (formerly Twitter) from BRICS on Thursday confirmed the addition, stating, “BRICS officially adds 13 new nations to the alliance as partner countries (not full members).”

The new partner countries include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, verified Nigeria’s partnership, stating, “Yes, it is true that Nigeria joined BRICS as a partner.”

BRICS, initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, expanded in 2010 to include South Africa. Earlier in 2024, the alliance welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as full members, all of whom participated in the Kazan summit.

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