Namibia’s Interest in BRICS Membership and Closer Ties with Emerging Economies
Namibia has formally expressed a desire to join the BRICS bloc, a growing alliance of emerging economies that initially included Brazil, Russia, India, and China and later expanded to welcome South Africa in 2011. In recent years, BRICS has broadened its reach by inviting countries from Africa, such as Egypt and Ethiopia, further underscoring its influence across the continent.
Namibian Ambassador to Moscow, Clemens Handuukeme Kashuupulwa, highlighted the potential advantages of Namibia’s inclusion in BRICS, emphasizing the appeal of aligning with progressive nations that prioritize economic growth and collaborative development. Kashuupulwa spoke during the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi, held on November 9-10, where he reiterated Namibia’s interest in joining the influential bloc.
Namibia’s Path to BRICS: Challenges and Partnerships
While Namibia’s ambition to join BRICS is evident, the country faces temporary obstacles. The ambassador pointed to the unfortunate passing of the Namibian president and the upcoming national elections scheduled for November 27 as reasons for the delay. “We are working closely with South Africa [on this matter], but for the moment we are not yet prepared to be members of BRICS,” Kashuupulwa stated.
Following the latest BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the formation of a new BRICS partnership framework. Under this structure, BRICS will send invitations to selected countries for partnership status, offering a more inclusive approach and enabling other nations to contribute to its expanding agenda.
Growing Momentum in Africa’s BRICS Membership
As Namibia works towards potential membership, the BRICS alliance demonstrates an increasing commitment to strengthening its ties with African nations. Countries like Namibia view the bloc as a pathway to economic resilience, autonomy from Western-dominated trade structures, and a closer alignment with other developing economies.
