BRICS summit in Johannesburg, new world emerging as Africa is at the center of attention

Africa was in the spotlight on the last day of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on Saturday (July 28th).

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited many of the continent’s heads of state to participate in the BRICS-Africa Forum, which aims to integrate African regional organizations into BRICS nations.

More than a dozen African heads of state have made the trip, mainly for bilateral meetings with emerging powers.

As the only BRICS member of the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – Cyril Ramaphosa made a point of inviting the continent to table of five emerging powers.

“We felt the need to be representative of Africa within the BRICS. And we have used our participation as a lever to defend development and progress in Africa.”

So it’s done. Nearly 20 African nations were present in Johannesburg, like Senegal and its president Macky Sall.

“There is a new world emerging, and this new world can no longer be governed by old rules.”

“We want global governance that is fairer, more equitable and more inclusive,” he said.

Meetings are mostly bilateral. However, the goal is to reach agreements between BRICS and regional organizations as with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), currently chaired by Faure Gnassingbe, the President of Togo.

“I think there are good opportunities for cooperation with the BRICS because we know your countries are good at building infrastructure,” he said.

We therefore invite the BRICS and ECOWAS to come together to explore possibilities for cooperation and partnerships.

Evidence of the infatuation of African nations, President Emmerson Mnangagwa made the trip within three days of elections in his country, Zimbabwe.