By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria has been admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, according to Brazil, the group’s chair.
BRICS
was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, with South
Africa added in 2010, as a counterweight to the Group of Seven leading
industrialized nations.
Last year, the bloc added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has been invited to join. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become members, and a few others have expressed interest.
Nigeria
becomes the ninth BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia,
Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
“With
the world’s sixth-largest population — and Africa’s largest — as well
as being one of the continent’s major economies, Nigeria shares
convergent interests with other members of BRICS,” Brazil’s government
said in a statement Friday.
“It plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and
in reforming global governance — issues that are top priorities during
Brazil’s current presidency.”
President-elect Donald Trump
last year threatened 100% tariffs against BRICS if they act to
undermine the U.S. dollar. The bloc’s leaders have voiced their
commitment to introduce an alternative payment system that would not be
dependent on the dollar.