KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 26 (AGCNewsNet) – Nigeria has joined the BRICS bloc as a partner nation, alongside 12 other countries, further strengthening its economic and diplomatic engagement with the intergovernmental alliance. The announcement was made during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, which took place from October 22 to 24, 2024.

The bloc, initially comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) in 2009, later expanded to include South Africa in 2010, becoming BRICS. Its mission is to bolster trade, development, and security among key emerging markets. The Kazan summit, under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,” marks the 16th annual gathering, with a focus on enhancing economic integration with emerging nations.

A post on X (formerly Twitter) from BRICS confirmed the addition, stating, “BRICS officially adds 13 new nations to the alliance as partner countries (not full members).” The other countries joining Nigeria as new partners include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

The summit was attended by Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, who joined as full members in January 2024, marking their first appearance at a BRICS summit as full members.

With the inclusion of Nigeria and other partners, BRICS seeks to extend its influence by fostering collaborative efforts across regions, aiming for more balanced global development, investment, and security.