07/07/2025
in Focus: A New Global Order and Africa’s Emerging Voice.
Addis Ababa, July 2025 ( And The Future)
The 17th BRICS Summit held in Brazil has once again captured global attention, not only for its geopolitical weight but also for the deepening role of developing economies in shaping a multipolar world. What started as an informal economic group of five (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has now evolved into an expansive alliance, welcoming new members and signaling a strong pivot away from Western-dominated institutions.
This year’s summit marks a turning point in BRICS history. With the inclusion of new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, the BRICS alliance is poised to reshape global economic governance. Ethiopia’s presence at the summit, led by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, signaled a bold new era for the Horn of Africa nation.
Rise of BRICS+
Under the theme “Sustainable Development through Multilateralism,” the summit called for the overhaul of global institutions, greater use of local currencies in trade, and the creation of an alternative financial ecosystem. The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai, continues to gain traction as a viable alternative to the IMF and World Bank, especially for countries facing Western sanctions or debt stress.
With a combined GDP of over $30 trillion and nearly half the world's population, the expanded BRICS+ bloc is now a powerhouse that cannot be ignored.
’s Voice on the Global Stage
Ethiopia’s inclusion in BRICS is symbolic and strategic. As one of Africa's fastest-growing economies with bold ambitions in infrastructure, green energy, and logistics, Ethiopia's membership is a testament to its rising diplomatic and economic influence.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed used the platform to advocate for equitable trade, food security cooperation, and investment in digital transformation across Africa. His remarks echoed the broader African demand for a more just global economic order one that recognizes Africa not as a charity case but as a dynamic partner in innovation, trade, and peace.
BRICS Means for Ethiopia and Africa
For Ethiopia, BRICS offers opportunities for:
•Access to alternative financing for major infrastructure and energy projects through the NDB.
•Enhanced trade with large non-Western economies on better terms.
•Technological partnerships in agriculture, AI, and renewable energy.
•Diplomatic leverage to push for reform in institutions like the UN and WTO.
, more broadly, sees BRICS as a pathway to economic self-determination. With South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia now in the alliance, African representation is growing. This strengthens the continent’s voice in shaping global rules and financial standards.
The Global Shift
What the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio made abundantly clear is this: the world is undergoing a seismic shift. The Western-led liberal order, anchored in institutions formed after World War II, is being rebalanced. Developing countries are no longer content to sit at the margins they’re building their own tables.
The BRICS bloc, with its commitment to sovereignty, mutual respect, and non-intervention, offers a compelling alternative model for cooperation.
For Ethiopia, participation in BRICS must be matched with internal readiness: improving ease of doing business, expanding digital infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships. The private sector must seize this historic opportunity to connect Ethiopian enterprises to the broader BRICS network.
In the words of Prime Minister Abiy at the summit:
“This is a moment for emerging nations to chart their own path, not in isolation, but through unity, equity, and shared ambition.”
BBRICS and The FutureTThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of EthiopiaAAbyssinia Business NetworkAAbiy Ahmed Ali
