South Africa, Ethiopia and Egypt with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of BRICS, the Global South grouping of emerging countries, reviewed their strategic bilateral cooperation, while highlighting the significance of India’s role in hosting and directing BRICS in shaping South-South alliance and the new economic order.

The Asian economic architect is strongly being advocated for as BRICS new direction, and subsequently as non-Western dominated attention.

India hosts the BRICS Leaders’ Summit (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) on September 12-13 in New Delhi. With the new ascended African members, Egypt and Ethiopia who also aspire to build a coherent alternative order to the West, wielding power to challenge Western hegemony. Russia has been throttling alternative pathways, and consistently channelling trade and investment that would serve the interests of the African member countries–largely focused on economic development and poverty alleviation.

Putin, first, addressed the plenary session of the annual BRICS Business Forum, which traditionally preceded the summit and served as an important platform for dialogue among business representatives from BRICS countries. Then on the BRICS summit’s sideline, South African Cyril Ramaphosa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Arab Republic of Egypt had conversations on the current status and future prospects for their bilateral relations, and further discussed ways of strengthening the BRICS strategic partnership in politics and security, economics and finance, and cultural and humanitarian ties. They will also exchange views on current international and regional issues that are of common significance to the global development.

The Arab Republic of Egypt has been one of the strongest strategic partner for Russia in North Africa and, to a large extent, in the Arab world. Putin and Fattah el-Sisi, without any reservation, noted the ongoing turbulent times, and a great many new trends that are unfolding. Many developments are unfolding both in the region and across the globe. Bilateral trade is growing, and its structure is steadily improving. Both plan to take new key initiatives ahead to improve and strengthen relations.

Egypt’s highly valuable stance into account in the practical policy-making, Fattah el-Sisi mentioned, that the volume of trade between two countries has exceeded $10 billion, and Russia now delivering major projects–such as the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. This being financed by a Russian loan of $28 billion, and related assistance in this matter and the wonderful efforts toward its realization being made by Rosatom. Turning to the regional situation, it is certainly crucial to achieve stability–particularly with regard to the security of maritime areas and shipping lanes, and freedom of navigation.

In a conversation with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed, Putin reminded that, today, BRICS is a fully fledged strategic partnership designed to consolidate the positions of the global majority and shape the outlines of a just, multipolar order. Since January 2024, Ethiopia has been a full-fledged member of the group, with support from Russia. It is symbolic that the beginning of Ethiopian friends’ practical work within the BRICS mechanisms coincided with Russia’s chairmanship. Since then, Ethiopia has been making a constructive contribution to its diverse activities.

As for the bilateral relations, Russia has signed several agreements for initiating policy projects, as Ethiopia is a long-standing and reliable partner of Russia on the African continent. Both expressed deep satisfaction that Russian-Ethiopian ties continue to develop based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. Russia continues to pay considerable attention to humanitarian cooperation. More than 20,000 Ethiopian citizens have received education and training in the Russian Federation, and this without doubts, provides a very good foundation for future bilateral humanitarian ties.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, as expected, appreciated Russia’s contributions, especially in terms of military cooperation, trade exchange, investment and scholarships for Ethiopian students, as well as other forms of assistance in multilateral aspect. Ethiopia would pay back, when the time comes, sincerely assured Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and added that, today without Russia’s support, Ethiopia cannot be a member of the BRICS.

Meeting with President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, Putin expressed his historical nostalgia, discussed a spectrum of multiple issues, during the previous BRICS summit held in Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan. Then tracing relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa, as far back in 2006–the signing of the Treaty on Friendship and Partnership between South Africa and Russia.The conversation also dwelled on sustaining political dialogue and developing inter-parliamentary ties, with the heads of South African and Russian foreign ministries maintaining regular contact. Trade may not be increasing at a rapid pace, but it continues to grow and remains at a solid level. Both parties have traditionally developed cooperation in the cultural and educational spheres, particularly in personnel training and education. For the 2026–27 academic year, the state quota has been increased to 100 scholarships for South Africa’s young people to study in the Russian Federation.

South African leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, warmly extended his appreciation for Russia’s support during South Africa’s G20 presidency, and generally for supporting South Africa’s priorities in the system of its diplomacy with Russia, other multilateral organizations and the global partners. It was an important opportunity to review the progress and to identify new areas of collaboration. South Africa offered the highest assurances to continue working with various multilateral forums to contribute to the broader international efforts aiming at securing peace around the world, and that Russia also would like to see that objective achieved. Naturally, Russia attaches great importance to the comprehensive development of relations with African countries as a whole. Moscow is preparing, in a robust manner, for the third Russia-Africa Summit, from October 28 to 29. Among the main subjects are digital technologies, artificial intelligence, peaceful use of freedom, and food security.

*

Click the share button below to email/forward this article. Follow us on Instagram and X and subscribe to our Telegram Channel. Feel free to repost Global Research articles with proper attribution.

Kester Kenn Klomegah, who worked previously with Inter Press Service (IPS), Weekly Blitz and InDepthNews, is now a regular contributor to Global Research. He researches Eurasia, Russia, Africa and BRICS. His focused interest areas include geopolitical changes, foreign relations and economic development questions relating to Africa. As a versatile researcher, he believes that everyone deserves equal access to quality and trustworthy media reports.

Featured image is from the author

Global Research is a reader-funded media. We do not accept any funding from corporations or governments. Help us stay afloat. Click the image below to make a one-time or recurring donation.