Brazil, Russia and South Africa are primarily natural resource exporters and were badly affected by the global commodity price bust of 2014. Deteriorating relations with western powers: Ethiopia has historically depended on substantial western support through aid and security cooperation. Joining BRICS would signal openness and lead to greater cooperation through platforms like the business council and forum. Sergei Chirikov/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe risksThere would of course be risks in Ethiopia joining the BRICS. Ethiopia’s economy, estimated at around US6.78 billion in 2022, is less than half the size of South Africa’s US5.87 billion.

Source: Ethiopian News July 12, 2023 18:40 UTC