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Ethiopia to Join BRICS in 2024, A Major Milestone, Says Addis Ababa University Professor

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Addis Ababa - Ethiopia's upcoming membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) group from January 2024 represents a significant political, economic, and international relations milestone for the nation, according to Professor Costentinos Berhe-Tesfa of Public Policy at Addis Ababa University.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Professor Costentinos articulated the impacts of Ethiopia's BRICS membership. He emphasized its role in transforming international trade and fostering a more equitable, sovereign-based multilateral system. The BRICS nations, which collectively control about 40 percent of the world's population and a comparable portion of the global economy, surpassing the economic values of the G-7 countries, are seen as high-producing, emerging economies.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia's inclusion in BRICS is strategically significant due to its vast agricultural land and status as the water tower of North East Africa, with rivers exporting over 120 billion cubic meters of water annually. He highlighted Ethiopia's potential in developing its agricultural sector and leveraging its young population, which comprises about 70 percent of the nation's demography.

The professor also noted that the BRICS countries, being rich agricultural exporters, could assist Ethiopia in agricultural investments. Ethiopia's membership in BRICS is expected to bring substantial benefits in terms of political leverage, economic growth, and enhanced international relations.

Furthermore, Professor Costentinos underlined the importance of Ethiopia's BRICS membership from a geopolitical and multilateral perspective, stressing that the country has maintained strong ties with Europe and the U.S. for over a century. He views Ethiopia's inclusion in BRICS as a complement to these longstanding relationships.

BRICS, an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was established in 2010 with the addition of South Africa to the previously formed BRIC group.