President Samia Suluhu Hassan said yesterday the Brics-Africa partnership needs to focus on unlocking the continent’s potential towards realisation

President Samia Suluhu Hassan said yesterday the Brics-Africa partnership needs to focus on unlocking the continent’s potential towards realisation of Agenda 2063, Sustainable Development Goals and operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Hassan was addressing the 15th Brics Summit in Johannesburg, where she was among the invited heads of state and government.

She said Tanzania envisioned a Brics-Africa partnership that supports the continent’s endeavour to promote and strengthen regional value chains and help African producers to gain access to global export markets.

“Tanzania is and remains a strong supporter of multilateralism, more inclusive and fair global systems and deeper South-South cooperation. In this regard, we remain a friend and partner of Brics in all its interventions,” President Hassan said.

She emphasised the continued relevance and validity of multilateralism, noting that it is a major tool in addressing most global geopolitical challenges and added that more efforts should also be made to strengthen the United Nations, which remains the sole body with universal membership.

“Tanzania at this point would wish to reiterate the need to reform the UN Security Council to make it fairly representative, effective and reflective of the current geopolitical realities.”

The Head of State said international challenges that led to the creation of Brics had worsened and there is a need to have a meaningful dialogue that seeks to find common solutions to common challenges.

“That is why I am very optimistic that this dialogue will advance deliberations geared towards resolving complex challenges which our countries are facing, both individually and collectively.”

She singled out one aspect she considers critical in the course of the dialogue – the call to redouble efforts and take concrete actions to address the North-South divide to deepen strategic financial, trade, investment and economic partnerships based on a just international economic order.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian analysts said yesterday the expansion of the Brics group of nations and its endeavour to encourage the adoption of local currencies and alternative financial systems can greatly benefit other developing nations such as Tanzania.

Brics, which currently comprises the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – will grow to 11 members next year following yesterday’s admission of six new members – Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Closing the 15th Brics Summit in Johannesburg yesterday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also announced that Brics is ready to explore opportunities for improving the stability, reliability and fairness of the global financial architecture.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, political scientists noted that these new developments will balance out political influences and create a new political and economic power.

University of Dodoma lecturer Paul Loisulie said world politics has for a long time been dominated by the Western bloc, which comprises the US and most European countries.

He said the emergence of a new bloc comprising emerging economies and developing countries will provide an opportunity for poor countries, especially member states, to discuss issues that affect them.

Amid the current shortage of dollars and its associated problems, many of the suggestions by Brics countries hold economic prospects for developing nations even as Tanzania continues to embrace its non-alignment policy.

“The greatest advantage lies in the economic sphere, particularly their initiative to promote the use of local currencies in trade,” Mr Loisulie said.

Prof Mohammed Bakari of the University of Dar es Salaam said Brics’ efforts are focused on reducing dependence on Western nations.

"In my opinion, the new influence they are striving to create will bring much-needed relief to poor countries. It is building a new economic order, especially for developing nations," he said.

Discussions during the three-day Brics summit revolved around political and socioeconomic coordination, with member countries identifying business opportunities, economic complementarities and areas of cooperation.

Speaking on the groups’ expansion, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Brics countries shoulder an important responsibility for world peace and development.

“This membership expansion is historic. It shows the determination of Brics countries for unity and cooperation with the broader developing countries. It also meets the expectation of the international community and the common interests of emerging market countries and developing countries,” he said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Brics will continue to be the driving force of new international order and strive for fairness and global peace.

“We will continue to promote the overcoming of all ways of inequality that exist in the world,” he said.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country has always fully supported the expansion of Brics membership and believes that the addition of new members will further strengthen Brics as an organisation.

“This will also strengthen the belief of many countries in a multipolar order in the world.

“I am confident that together with these countries we will be able to infuse new momentum and new energy into our cooperation,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of mutual currency settlements and the joint issuance of a unified currency.

He acknowledged the complexity of this endeavour, while expressing a commitment to finding solutions.

President Putin, who participated virtually, stressed the need for secure economic transactions between our nations and highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster Brics' global influence, particularly through fostering meaningful collaborations with new Brics members.

The bloc was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa was added in 2010.

The Brics bloc represents around 40 percent of the world's population