The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc, originally formed in 2009, has long represented a coalition of emerging economies challenging the traditional dominance of the West in global political and economic affairs. The recent inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, alongside other countries like Iran, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signals a crucial shift in the balance of global power.

This expansion raises fundamental questions about the future of global geopolitics, trade dynamics, and regional alliances. While the expansion of BRICS could benefit Africa and the Middle East in terms of enhanced trade, investment, and geopolitical influence, it also presents several challenges that could reshape long-standing relationships and power structures in both regions.

The BRICS Expansion

BRICS’ expansion represents the bloc’s desire to grow its influence and become a more inclusive representation of the global South. Saudi Arabia and Egypt, two of the Middle East’s largest and most influential nations, bring substantial economic weight and geopolitical significance to the group. Saudi Arabia, with its vast oil reserves and Egypt, with its strategic location in the Arab world, are both critical players in regional and global politics. Their inclusion marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of BRICS, extending the group’s reach into the Middle East and deepening its involvement in Africa.

The decision to bring Saudi Arabia and Egypt into the fold is emblematic of BRICS’ aim to counterbalance the influence of Western powers and institutions, like the United States and the European Union. Saudi Arabia, traditionally aligned with the West due to its oil wealth and security relationships, may now view BRICS as a platform to diversify its international partnerships. Egypt, similarly, has been building stronger ties with both Russia and China in recent years, and its BRICS membership further solidifies this alignment. These new members will likely work together with other BRICS countries to reshape global governance structures, advocate for multipolarity in international politics and reduce dependency on Western-dominated institutions.

Implications for Africa

Africa, a region historically underrepresented in global governance, stands to benefit significantly from the BRICS expansion. With the African Union (AU) aiming to strengthen the continent’s voice in global affairs, the inclusion of Egypt, a key African nation, into BRICS offers a potential avenue for Africa to wield greater political and economic influence. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s economic power and investment capability could open new opportunities for African countries, particularly in trade, infrastructure development and energy resources.

One key area of potential growth is in trade relations. As BRICS countries push for reforms in global trade to move away from the dollar-dominated system, the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, a key player in the energy sector, could alter Africa’s trade dynamics. For instance, African nations that rely heavily on energy imports or exports could find new opportunities for cooperation within the BRICS framework, as Saudi Arabia could serve as a major energy partner for both African nations and other BRICS members. Egypt, with its strategic location and control over the Suez Canal, could also play a critical role in facilitating trade between Africa and the Middle East, while promoting regional economic integration.

However, the BRICS expansion also carries risks. While Africa could potentially benefit from enhanced investment and trade, it must be wary of becoming increasingly reliant on external powers. There is the danger that African countries could fall into a new form of dependence, this time on BRICS members, much as they have historically been dependent on Western powers. BRICS, despite its advocacy for multipolarity, may still be driven by the interests of its largest members, China, Russia and India, which could overshadow the needs of smaller African nations.

Implications for the Middle East
The Middle East stands at a crossroads, where shifting alliances could have profound consequences. The inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Egypt in BRICS signals a potential realignment of regional allegiances. For decades, the region has been dominated by complex relationships with the West, especially the United States, and by rivalries within the region itself. With the rise of BRICS, Middle Eastern countries may seek to diversify their foreign policy strategies and economic partnerships.

For Saudi Arabia, membership in BRICS represents a departure from its historical alignment with the US and a potential hedge against Western pressure, particularly in the realm of energy production. The kingdom’s oil-based economy has long been a pillar of its geopolitical strength, but its leaders are increasingly looking to strengthen ties with China and Russia, two of the most influential members of BRICS. As China pushes for increased use of the yuan in global trade and Russia seeks to diminish the dominance of Western financial systems, Saudi Arabia’s BRICS membership could offer a more secure and diversified economic future.

Egypt, on the other hand, could use its new BRICS membership to bolster its regional standing and attract additional foreign investment. Egypt’s geopolitical role as the gatekeeper of the Suez Canal gives it an outsized influence on global trade, and its inclusion in BRICS could enhance its leverage with both BRICS countries and Western powers. Egypt’s strategic interests may align with those of BRICS members seeking to challenge Western-led economic and political systems, offering it opportunities to engage in more diverse and balanced diplomacy.

Nevertheless, the inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Egypt in BRICS does not signal an abandonment of their traditional relationships with the West. Both countries continue to value their ties with the US and Europe, and their participation in BRICS may be more a means of diversifying their global alliances rather than an outright pivot away from the West.

Altering Global Geopolitics
The inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Egypt into BRICS signals a broader trend toward the emergence of a multipolar world order. As the US and European powers grapple with internal and external challenges, the rise of non-Western powers like China, Russia and India has gained momentum. BRICS, now with expanded membership, is positioning itself as a counterweight to Western dominance in the global arena. The inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, two nations that wield significant economic and geopolitical influence in their respective regions, adds a crucial layer to this shift.

In practical terms, the growing influence of BRICS could lead to a more diversified and fragmented international system. Countries traditionally aligned with the US and Europe may seek to strengthen their relationships with BRICS members, further eroding the global consensus that has characterized international relations since World War II. In the context of trade, the rise of BRICS could challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The bloc’s advocacy for reforms in global governance, such as the reduction of the US dollar’s role in international trade, could signal a long-term shift toward more regionalized or multi-currency trading systems.

Conclusion
The expansion of BRICS to include Saudi Arabia and Egypt is a transformative moment in global geopolitics, with profound implications for Africa, the Middle East and the broader world order. For Africa, the opportunity to increase its voice in global affairs through Egypt’s membership is promising, while Saudi Arabia’s inclusion opens up new trade and investment opportunities. However, the risks of increased dependency on BRICS members must be carefully managed.

For the Middle East, the addition of Saudi Arabia and Egypt to BRICS offers a potential new platform for diversifying alliances and challenging Western-dominated power structures. However, it remains to be seen whether this membership will fundamentally alter their existing relationships with the West or if BRICS will become just another avenue for these nations to hedge their geopolitical bets.

Ultimately, the expansion of BRICS signals a move towards a more multipolar world, where power is distributed more evenly across regions. This shift will not only impact global trade dynamics but also reshape international alliances, creating both opportunities and challenges for the countries involved. As BRICS continues to expand and evolve, its long-term influence on the global stage remains a critical area for close observation.