Per the government announcement, President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from 12 to 13 September 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India. This attendance represents South Africa’s continued engagement within the BRICS intergovernmental organisation and geopolitical alliance, a group comprising Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The summit’s stated focus – “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security” – reflects a global landscape increasingly defined by instability and competition, a condition the statement does not address. The summit’s purpose is to strengthen BRICS cooperation through a people-centred development agenda, expanding trade and investment, and enhancing financial and institutional cooperation.
Background
The 18th BRICS Summit is being held under India’s Chairship, marking the eighth year of India’s leadership within the organisation. The summit’s theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security,” is explicitly tied to India’s priorities for the group. The summit is occurring against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as broader major-power competition. The statement does not mention the number of participants. The BRICS Business Forum Leader’s Dialogue will be a key element of the summit, bringing together BRICS leaders and business representatives. South Africa’s participation is framed by its diplomatic and economic priorities, specifically expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment, promoting industrialisation and value addition, and mobilising investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The gathering is intended to advance global governance reform and the interests of the Global South.
Analysis
South Africa’s attendance at the summit underscores its strategic interest in maintaining engagement within the BRICS bloc. The summit’s focus on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security” suggests a deliberate attempt to frame BRICS as a force for stability and development in a world characterized by fragmentation. The inclusion of a session entitled “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism” indicates a recognition of the need for reform within existing international institutions. The statement does not address the potential challenges associated with the expanded membership of BRICS, particularly the differing priorities and geopolitical alignments of its member states. The summit’s focus on trade and investment aligns with South Africa’s broader economic strategy, aiming to mitigate domestic economic challenges.
Implications
The summit’s outcome will have implications for South Africa’s foreign policy, primarily concerning its trade and investment relationships. Should the summit yield increased trade agreements within BRICS, it would bolster South Africa’s industrialization and value addition objectives. The summit’s discussions on global governance reform could influence South Africa’s approach to multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations and international financial institutions. The summit’s focus on investment in African infrastructure aligned with the AfCFTA could provide a framework for increased collaboration with other BRICS members on infrastructure development projects. The summit will provide an opportunity to advance South Africa’s diplomacy, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Outlook
If the summit successfully fosters increased trade and investment among BRICS members, it could provide a significant boost to South Africa’s economy. Should the New Delhi Declaration result in a commitment to reform the United Nations and international financial institutions, it would align with South Africa’s longstanding advocacy for a more equitable global governance system. Should the summit be unable to achieve substantive progress on global governance reform, it would likely reinforce South Africa’s existing frustrations with the limitations of multilateral institutions. The summit’s success will depend on the willingness of BRICS members to overcome their differing geopolitical priorities and forge a shared vision for the future.
