The recent decision to admit Ethiopia and Egypt to the expanded Brics bloc of developing economies may help China expand its influence in two strategically important regions of Africa, analysts have said. In Ethiopia, China funded the building of the US$4.5 billion Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and Chinese companies have invested heavily in the country’s light manufacturing industry. Bringing Ethiopia into Brics could help in finding joint positions on key regional issues that affect China’s overall engagement,” he said. 02:36 No explanation as China’s Xi Jinping unexpectedly skips speech at Brics business forum No explanation as China’s Xi Jinping unexpectedly skips speech at Brics business forumAdem said the modus operandi of Brics, as a future-oriented group, is inclusivity and diversity. Aly-Khan Satchu, a sub-­Sa­haran Africa geoeconomic ­an­­­­­a­­­­­lyst, believes Ethiopia was a natural fit because of its relations with Russia, China and South Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 10, 2023 13:32 UTC