Nigeria is seeking South Africa’s backing to secure full membership in the G20 and BRICS, including entry into the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made the announcement on Monday, emphasizing Nigeria’s readiness to contribute to global economic and political discourse.
The BRICS bloc, initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was expanded in 2010 to include South Africa. In 2023, six additional countries—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Argentina—were invited to join, though Argentina later declined. Together, BRICS members account for 37% of global GDP.
At the 2023 G20 summit in India, President Bola Tinubu declared Nigeria’s strategic importance, describing Africa’s largest economy as essential to the G20. “Nigeria is poised, willing, and able to be a major player in this family of the G20,” Tinubu said, advocating for the nation’s inclusion.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, reiterated the call for South Africa’s support during the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town. She emphasized Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts and highlighted President Tinubu’s commitment to resolving the Sudan crisis.
“We are strongly committed to seeking a resolution of the crisis in Sudan. We seek South Africa’s support to accelerate the peace process, ensuring that conflicts in the region are de-escalated,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Roland Lamola, acknowledged Nigeria’s requests and affirmed his country’s commitment to amplifying Africa’s voice during its G20 presidency. “We will count on Nigeria’s wise counsel as we assume this major responsibility,” Lamola said, while also emphasizing the need for stronger bilateral ties between the two nations.
The discussions and agreements from the BNC ministerial session will be presented to President Tinubu and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the presidential session of the commission on Tuesday. Both leaders are expected to review the draft communiqué and finalize measures to deepen Nigeria-South Africa relations.
