Ethiopia in BRICS: Motivation, Opportunities and Strategic Advantages

The article analyzes Ethiopia’s entry into the BRICS alliance, a new wave of expansion that took place in August 2023 following the alliance’s summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The choice of Ethiopia as a new member of the BRICS format is influenced by the country’s strategic location in the Horn of Africa, which gives it importance in the context of global trade routes through the Red Sea, the special role the country plays in the continent’s diplomatic engagement, and its significant demographic and economic potential. The authors examine the Ethiopian government’s motivation for joining BRICS, including the pursuit of national interests, namely access to seaports, development of the hydropower sector, and diversification of partnerships for the benefit of economic development against the backdrop of deteriorating relations with Western countries. It can be seen that a number of the country’s national interests as well as foreign trade objectives can be secured through membership in the association. Joining BRICS resonates with Addis Ababa’s desire to forge mutually respectful relations with developing countries and reflects the country’s geopolitical prestige on the continent. Ethiopia’s economic reasons for joining include rapid economic growth, established trade and investment relations with member countries, the need for external financial assistance, and integration into the continent’s trade.