The 17th BRICS Summit, which began on July 6 and is set to conclude on July 7, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has convened heads of state, ministers, and policy leaders from across the Global South to deliberate on key global challenges. Hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the summit is focused on reshaping global governance, strengthening economic cooperation among developing nations, and expanding the bloc’s geopolitical influence.
Established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010, BRICS has undergone major transformation in recent years. In 2024, the bloc admitted Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as full members. Indonesia became the eleventh full member earlier this year. The bloc also introduced a new category, partner countries, with ten nations, including Nigeria, Algeria, Belarus, Uganda, Malaysia, and Vietnam, now holding that status.
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This year’s summit is being held under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” With a combined population representing more than half of the world’s people and nearly 45 percent of global GDP, BRICS is positioning itself as a counterweight to the Western-led G7 and international institutions such as the IMF, the World Bank, and the UN Security Council.
Key Issues at the 2025 Summit
The summit agenda reflects the bloc’s ambition to play a larger role in shaping global policy. Delegates are focusing on trade and financial integration, alternatives to the U.S. dollar, artificial intelligence governance, health system reform, climate financing, and institutional restructuring. The Brazilian presidency has also placed emphasis on internal cohesion following last year’s expansion, with institutional development added to the official agenda.
The gathering has not been without absences. Russian President Vladimir Putin, under an ICC arrest warrant, joined virtually, while Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend for the first time in over a decade, citing scheduling conflicts. China was represented by Premier Li Qiang, and Russia by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Other key attendees included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu: Structural Justice Must Define Global Reform
Nigeria, which was formally admitted as a BRICS partner country in January 2025, used the summit to voice strong concerns about global inequities. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for a comprehensive overhaul of the international financial and healthcare systems, citing the marginalisation of low-income and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.
“Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” Tinubu said, pointing to the urgent need for fair climate financing, accessible technology, and new models of cooperation that reflect the realities of vulnerable economies.
He noted that Nigeria remains committed to renewable energy adoption, climate action, and urban resilience, referencing national frameworks such as Nigeria Vision 2050 and the African Carbon Market Initiative. He urged BRICS to become a vehicle for addressing the structural barriers that hinder development in the Global South.
“We cannot be passive participants in global decision-making,” Tinubu stated. “We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs and concerns of our youth, who represent 70 percent of our population.”
Ramaphosa: Reforming the UN to Reflect Today’s Multipolar Order
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also delivered a pointed message at the summit, calling for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council. Speaking during the plenary session on Peace, Security, and Reform of Global Governance, Ramaphosa said the Council’s current structure fails to reflect today’s geopolitical dynamics and lacks inclusive representation.
“The Security Council must reflect current multipolar realities,” he said, advocating for the inclusion of voices from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Ramaphosa stressed that achieving sustainable global peace requires a more democratic and representative system of international governance.
Ramaphosa warned that continued reliance on unilateral military action undermines global stability and called for stronger support for regional peace-building efforts led by developing nations themselves.
Africa’s Position Within BRICS
Africa’s representation within BRICS has grown considerably. South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are full members, while Nigeria, Algeria, and Uganda have joined as partner countries. Senegal has also signalled interest in joining, although membership is not guaranteed, as shown by Algeria’s unsuccessful bid in 2023 due to concerns over economic diversification.
For many African countries, BRICS offers an alternative to traditional Western institutions. Access to the bloc’s New Development Bank (NDB), which claims to have invested $40 billion in over 120 projects globally, is particularly appealing. However, critics have pointed out that no significant NDB projects have been funded in Africa to date, despite public commitments.
There is also concern about unequal power dynamics within BRICS, especially regarding China’s dominant economic role. Trade patterns remain largely unbalanced, with African countries exporting raw materials and importing manufactured goods. Observers warn that without deliberate policy correction, BRICS could replicate the same structural inequalities it seeks to challenge.
Nonetheless, African leaders are choosing engagement over isolation, believing that the bloc can still evolve into a more equitable platform for cooperation.
What the Future Holds
With the conclusion of the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil, the bloc finds itself at a pivotal point. While internal cohesion and policy alignment remain ongoing challenges, the voices of African leaders have resonated clearly across the discussions.
For President Tinubu and President Ramaphosa, BRICS must be more than an alliance of emerging markets. It must serve as an engine for meaningful reform of institutions, systems, and global priorities. Their statements reflect a broader African agenda: one that seeks equity, sovereignty, and a decisive role in shaping the international order.
Whether BRICS can deliver on those expectations remains to be seen. But what is certain is that Africa is no longer waiting for permission to lead. It is asserting its voice and its vision within the global arena.
