On August 26, 2025, the international spotlight turned toward Africa’s growing influence within the global order, as experts and policymakers alike acknowledged the continent’s increasingly prominent role in major international groupings. Maya Nikolskaya, Acting Director of the Centre for African Studies at MGIMO University, captured this sentiment in an interview with TV BRICS, emphasizing that Africa’s expanding representation in the BRICS bloc is a clear signal of its rising global clout.
“African countries, firstly, want to present themselves as a pole of world politics. Secondly, they are increasingly fitting into the international architecture, wishing to influence existing institutions and being interested in the creation of new ones,” Nikolskaya told TV BRICS. Her comments come at a time when the African Union has just secured a seat at the table of the G20, and South Africa currently holds the presidency of that group—a remarkable shift for a continent that, until recently, was often sidelined in global debates.
Within BRICS, the African presence is no longer a footnote. South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are now full members, while Nigeria and Uganda participate as partners. This growing African bloc is not only a matter of symbolism. According to Nikolskaya, African states are actively seeking to leverage BRICS as a platform to amplify their voices and shape the rules of the game. “African states wish to use BRICS, among other institutions, as a platform to enhance their representation,” she noted.
But what does this mean in practical terms for Africa and the world? For one, African countries are increasingly drawing on the experiences of their BRICS counterparts—China, India, and Brazil—in crafting their own national development strategies. Industrialisation and digitalisation are at the heart of these efforts. Nigeria and Uganda, for example, are explicitly referencing the trajectories of these Asian and Latin American giants as they chart their own paths forward.
Technology transfer is a central theme in this evolving partnership. “In my view, primarily technology transfer” is what BRICS countries can offer each other, Nikolskaya explained. “What does BRICS offer Africa? BRICS says, ‘We will give you technologies; we will give you investments so that you can grow and develop.’” This promise of investment and know-how is especially attractive to African nations eager to leapfrog into new phases of industrial and economic growth.
Russia, for its part, sees significant opportunity in Africa—not just as a market for its technologies, but also as a source of labor. The continent’s population is young and growing fast, positioning Africa as a potential engine of global economic dynamism in the decades ahead. But unlocking this potential, Nikolskaya argued, will require a focus on developing human capital. She advocates for more “people-to-people” contacts, such as academic exchanges and the establishment of a BRICS-wide volunteer platform. Such initiatives, she believes, could foster mutual understanding and practical skills transfer, setting the stage for long-term cooperation.
Energy is another critical area where Africa is poised to shape the global conversation. As the world debates the merits and pitfalls of various green energy sources, Nikolskaya contends that Africa has a unique perspective to offer. She argues that nuclear energy, rather than wind turbines, is the “green energy Africa needs.” Her reasoning is straightforward: wind turbines require massive investments in infrastructure—investments that could divert resources from other urgent priorities. “The main goal is industrialisation, without which economic growth is impossible. And if this quasi-green energy is imposed on states, the African economy could simply be ‘stifled’, depriving it of the chance to develop,” she warned.
In the financial realm, BRICS is also working to create new settlement mechanisms that could make trade and investment easier among its members and partners. While the idea of a single BRICS currency remains off the table for now, practical steps are underway. Initiatives like BRICS Pay and the opening of correspondent accounts between member banks are being developed as first steps toward deeper financial integration. These measures, Nikolskaya said, are “key goals that will require deep systemic restructuring.”
South Africa’s role in all of this cannot be overstated. As both a full member of BRICS and the current president of the G20, South Africa occupies a unique position as a bridge between the African continent and the broader Global South. According to Nikolskaya, South Africa’s leadership in these forums is helping to ensure that African priorities are not just heard, but acted upon.
Infrastructure development remains a top priority for the New Development Bank, the BRICS-led financial institution. Projects in transport, water supply, and energy have long been at the forefront, but digital infrastructure is quickly gaining attention. As Nikolskaya pointed out, the ability to monitor agriculture and ensure food security through digital tools is increasingly seen as essential to sustainable development. “Digital infrastructure will certainly come to the forefront to support needs like agricultural monitoring and food security,” she said.
Interestingly, the philosophical underpinnings of the BRICS alliance may be as important as its practical achievements. Nikolskaya drew a parallel between the African ethical concept of “ubuntu”—a philosophy centered on humanism and mutual respect—and the guiding principles of BRICS. “It seems to me that BRICS has very well captured it within itself as a symbol of striving for a new, fairer world order that will benefit all,” she concluded.
This surge in African engagement comes as global leaders continue to emphasize the importance of Global South solidarity. On the same day as Nikolskaya’s interview, Pragativadi reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit China for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. Modi’s visit underscores the ongoing efforts by leading nations to foster deeper ties among developing countries and to build a more multipolar world order.
While some observers see these developments as a natural correction to longstanding imbalances in global governance, others caution that the path ahead will not be easy. The creation of new financial mechanisms, the integration of diverse economies, and the reconciliation of different development priorities will all require patience, negotiation, and—perhaps most importantly—a willingness to learn from one another.
Yet, as Africa’s voice grows louder and its presence more visible on the world stage, there is a sense of cautious optimism. The continent’s leaders are not content to be passive recipients of aid or policy prescriptions from afar. Instead, they are demanding a seat at the table—and, increasingly, they are getting it.
With Africa’s growing influence in BRICS, its entry into the G20, and its willingness to challenge conventional wisdom on everything from energy to finance, the global order is in flux. Whether this will usher in a more equitable era remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Africa is no longer waiting in the wings.
