Kenya is signaling a strategic shift toward deeper engagement with BRICS, the influential economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Speaking to Russian broadcaster RT, Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia Peter Mutuku Mathuki, described BRICS as a transformational economic bloc, stating that Kenya’s interest is in exploring alternative economic models that align with the country’s development goals.
“BRICS itself is a very important block in the world order today. “It controls a big chunk of global GDP and represents a huge market. It is one of those transformational economic blocks that are really coming up,” Peter Mutuku explained.
Why BRICS Matters for Kenya
BRICS nations collectively account for more than 40% of the global population and nearly a third of global GDP.
According to Mathuki, the fact that Africa is increasingly turning to the BRICS as an alternative economic model is a strong indication that the bloc is a viable option, noting that several African nations, including Egypt and Ethiopia, have already joined the bloc.
Mathuki added that for Kenya, this trend offers an opportunity to reduce dependency on traditional Western institutions and tap into new sources of investment and technology.
“The fact that we have quite a number of African countries now as members of BRICS tells you that it is one of those models that many African countries, including Kenya, could be trying to look into, interrogate, and see how we could work closely with BRICS as a block, but also with its members,” Mathuki stated.
Kenya’s Current Engagement
While Kenya is not yet a BRICS member, Mathuki noted that Kenya already collaborates with several BRICS nations on trade, infrastructure, and technology.
The ambassador reiterated that China remains Kenya’s largest bilateral lender and a key partner in major projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway.
India supplies pharmaceuticals and ICT solutions, while Russia has expanded cooperation in the energy and defense sectors.
South Africa, as a fellow African economic powerhouse, is a very important partner under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Mathuki also added that Kenya is considering formalizing these ties within the BRICS framework, which could open the door to the bloc’s New Development Bank and other collaborative platforms.
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Beyond economics, Mathuki praised RT for amplifying voices from the Global South, saying such engagement is vital for shaping global narratives.
“We appreciate that you (RT) take us very seriously. It is critical to inform the world about South-South cooperation and the relationships we need to forge.”
Understanding BRICS
The acronym BRIC was created in 2001 by an economist from the Goldman Sachs investment bank in recognition of the dynamic economic growth of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. It was then formally established in 2009 after the first leaders’ summit in the city of Ekaterinburg, Russia.
South Africa joined in 2010, expanding the grouping from BRIC to BRICS, with its first participation at the 2011 summit in Sanya, China.
Today, the bloc represents over 40% of the global population and nearly 30% of global GDP.
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The BRICS is currently composed of eleven countries: its five original members – Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa -and six new members admitted in 2024-25 – Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The BRICS partner countries are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
The partner category was introduced to broaden BRICS’ global reach while maintaining selective full membership.
BRICS is increasingly seen as a transformational economic bloc, challenging the dominance of Western institutions and offering developing nations access to financing, technology, and trade opportunities on more equitable terms.
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