African scholar: BRICS countries are crucial for African development | BRICS |

Michael Ezulun, Director of the Nigeria Research Center at the African Research Institute of Zhejiang Normal University, wrote in China Daily on August 22 that the BRICS countries have brought hope for mutual benefit and win-win development to Africa. The BRICS countries oppose Cold War mentality and hegemonism, and contribute new solutions to global development in line with historical trends, fully promoting multilateralism, mutual respect, cooperation, and fairness and justice.

BRICS countries are crucial for Africa's development

The article points out that the BRICS countries represent the development expectations of emerging markets and developing countries, promote cooperation among developing countries, create a platform for South South cooperation, and make substantial progress in cooperation in various fields. The 15th BRICS Leaders Meeting to be held in South Africa from August 22nd to 24th will undoubtedly add vitality to the BRICS countries.

Some countries try their best to divide the world into different camps and expand military alliances to maintain their own hegemony. In sharp contrast, the BRICS countries are committed to maintaining world peace and promoting common development, and Africa is one of the beneficiaries.

As the economic and political strength of the BRICS countries continues to strengthen and their exchanges with African countries become increasingly frequent, their attractiveness to Africa continues to increase. The BRICS countries have provided new opportunities for trade, investment, and technology transfer, greatly promoting Africa's development and integration process. In the financial sector, the BRICS countries also offer better options than the global financial system led by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In recent years, the BRICS countries, especially China, have expanded their economic exchanges with Africa. China is Africa's largest trading partner, and the Chinese market is becoming increasingly important for African countries. According to official statistics, the trade volume between China and Africa reached 282 billion US dollars in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%, reaching a historic high. It is also worth mentioning that China has invested in infrastructure and industrial projects in Africa.

According to an economic survey conducted by the African Development Bank in 2022, the BRICS countries are currently Africa's largest trading partners. In addition, BRICS countries are becoming important investors in Africa, especially in the manufacturing, infrastructure, and service sectors.

Various signs indicate that the BRICS countries are promoting South South cooperation and striving to build a multipolar world order, which is fully in line with Africa's vision of regional integration and self-sufficiency.

BRICS countries help Africa break free from Western control

The article further states that Western economies often prioritize their own interests and impose their own values on others when interacting with African countries.

African countries have realized that relying on the West will make them vulnerable, especially when there is a conflict of interests between the two sides. They have to sell energy and other resources to Western countries, trade in US dollars, and use the Global Interbank Financial Communications Association payment system, which is a manifestation of the disadvantaged position of African countries. For a long time, the West has used the US dollar, as well as institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as economic and political tools to control African countries.

African countries seeking strategic autonomy and promoting "de dollarization" essentially aim to break free from the control of the West and its systems and regain freedom. This freedom includes economic independence and autonomy, conducting trade on an equal basis, and not allowing the West to interfere in internal affairs. To achieve the above goals, it is necessary to readjust the global economic structure so that every country can engage in free trade without accepting additional conditions.

African countries oppose a Western centered world order and are committed to enhancing economic vitality. And the BRICS countries also oppose Western control and provide a new way of "de dollarization", which has been strongly welcomed by African countries. African countries believe that the BRICS countries will protect them from Western pressure, which is one of the key factors in promoting cooperation between African countries and the BRICS countries.

Africa should expand cooperation with BRICS countries

The article emphasizes that African countries should further expand their trade relations with BRICS countries, fully leverage their own advantages, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. To achieve this goal, African countries must evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and adopt strategic measures to cooperate with the BRICS countries based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win.

African countries also need to improve their domestic systems and policies, promote regional integration and cooperation, and interact with BRICS countries and other emerging economies with a more confident and positive attitude based on the common concept of mutual benefit, inclusiveness, and sustainability. African countries should leverage their natural resources, cultural diversity, and strategic location advantages to promote economic development. They also need to leverage the new opportunities created by the BRICS countries and the constantly changing global economic order to prioritize investment in education, technology, and infrastructure, promote innovation, and promote inclusive and sustainable development.

It is crucial for African countries to attract more investment from BRICS countries and other developing countries, and expand trade exchanges. On this basis, African countries can fully tap into their potential and contribute to the future development of the global economy in a more equitable and balanced manner.