Egypt’s Pending Membership Of BRICS – An Overview

Over the past decade, the BRICS has increased its attractiveness by holding dozens of successful meetings and summits. The increasing economic position of BRICS and its leading business capabilities have made Cairo interested in joining the group. Negotiations for Egypt’s membership in the BRICS group began in 2009, but after a period of changes in Egypt, Cairo applied for membership again under Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The BRICS Plus 1 was created in 2017 and provided an opportunity for Egypt’s multi-dimensional presence in BRICS mechanisms. Cairo participated in the meetings and summits of BRICS leaders in 2017, 2022, and 2023.

Egypt subsequently applied to join the BRICS countries in 2023, with Cairo’s good relations with BRICS members supporting their efforts to join the bloc. At first, Cairo became a member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). Then the recent 15th BRICS summit saw an invitation to Egypt to become a full BRICS member from January 1, 2024.

The Consequences and Opportunities of BRICS for Egypt

Egypt will be considered an official member of BRICS from January 2024. The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has also publicly expressed his appreciation of the decision of the BRICS leaders to grant full membership to Egypt.

From Cairo’s point of view, BRICS, with about 26% of the area and about 42% of the world’s population; and in strengthening its economic and financial cooperation has an increasing role in the future of the economy and geopolitics of the world.