Ethiopia’s BRICS Membership Unlocking New Economic Opportunities, Says FAI Researcher

Addis Ababa, September 26, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s BRICS membership is opening new opportunities across various sectors, Senior Researcher at the Foreign Affairs Institute (FAI) Himanot Eshetu told ENA.

Himanot emphasized that Ethiopia’s BRICS membership is gaining momentum, creating greater leverage to strengthen economic partnerships, attract investment, diversify development financing, and advance its national interests globally.

Ethiopia's active engagement with major emerging economies, coupled with its participation in high-level discussions concerning global economic and geopolitical issues, renders its BRICS membership profoundly strategic, she added.

“BRICS is not just an economic grouping. Especially for Ethiopia, it is an additional platform for diplomatic engagement,” she said.

The platform also enables Ethiopia to advance its national interests while championing African priorities across critical sectors, including global finance, technology, trade, sustainable development, and security.

A major advantage of this membership is access to the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), which Himanot noted will significantly expand funding for infrastructure and sustainable development.

 

The country can successfully diversify its development finance sources as the bank’s financing goals align closely with Ethiopia's national needs.

“If we have more sources of finance, Ethiopia will get an opportunity and flexibility to implement its development priorities,” she said, emphasizing that NDB funding is meant to complement, rather than replace, existing partnerships.

Since joining the bloc in 2024, Ethiopia has actively engaged in BRICS initiatives, ranging from heads of state summits and ministerial meetings to expert-level discussions and working groups.

Beyond finance, Himanot highlighted the potential to connect with major emerging markets, expanding trade and investment horizons.

To capitalize on these prospects, she stressed the importance of promoting competitive domestic sectors, such as agriculture, agro-processing, textile manufacturing, energy, tourism, and mining.

 Furthermore, the platform offers an avenue to deepen economic cooperation and advocate for the broader interests of the Global South.

Ultimately, Himanot concluded, maximizing these benefits will require coordinated institutional engagement, a sharp focus on tangible economic outcomes, and proactive promotion of Ethiopia's trade and investment potential.