Faith Nyasuguta
Zimbabwe has stepped up efforts to secure membership in the BRICS economic bloc in a move aimed at reshaping its role in the global economic order. Officials in Harare say the move reflects a strategic push to expand the country’s trade opportunities, attract stable investment flows, and deepen technology cooperation with major emerging economies.
Professor Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, has confirmed that Harare is actively engaging with all existing BRICS member states as part of the formal application process. He said the government was acting on instructions from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has tasked him with steering the campaign. Murwira has been in discussions with counterparts abroad and is working to meet the criteria required for membership acceptance.
“Zimbabwe is ready to integrate more deeply into the global community, and joining groups such as BRICS is very important for us in expanding our economic involvement and integrating Zimbabwe into the global economy,” Murwira said. The statement highlights the country’s view that BRICS membership would significantly broaden its international economic engagement, particularly with large markets and emerging global partners.
The BRICS grouping has become an attractive platform for many African nations seeking alternatives to traditional Western-led economic structures, amid shifting global power dynamics and increased focus on South–South cooperation. Zimbabwe’s renewed bid comes at a time when the bloc is itself expanding -many nations have expressed interest in joining or have formalised applications, drawn by BRICS’ emphasis on cooperation that respects sovereign equality and shared development goals.
Analysts note that full BRICS membership offers countries access to a range of benefits, including enhanced trade links, opportunities for technology transfer, and access to development financing. Critics of the current global economic order argue that alliances like BRICS can help diversify economic cooperation away from dependency on traditional Western institutions and offer emerging economies new avenues for growth.
Zimbabwe’s pursuit of BRICS membership aligns with its broader foreign policy ambitions, which include expanding diplomatic reach and securing a more influential role in multilateral institutions. Beyond BRICS, the government recently completed procedural steps for re-admission into the Commonwealth, signalling a dual strategy of strengthening ties with both emerging and established international bodies as part of its diplomatic and economic reintegration.
Supporters of Zimbabwe’s BRICS bid point to the country’s natural resources, agricultural potential, and position as a regional trading partner as assets that could enrich the bloc’s collective goals. They argue that deeper cooperation with BRICS nations could help unlock investment in infrastructure, energy and industrial projects, driving long-term economic development at home.
At the same time, the government’s outreach comes amid ongoing debates about Zimbabwe’s domestic political and economic landscape. Some observers have questioned whether the country’s internal governance challenges and economic policy environment might hinder its ability to fully leverage BRICS membership. Despite this, Harare appears determined to press ahead with its application and has been raising its profile among existing members.
Zimbabwe has also engaged with BRICS partners beyond formal membership talks, including discussions with Russia on trade, investment and scholarships, highlighting the expanding scope of cooperation between Harare and individual members of the bloc.
If accepted, Zimbabwe would join a growing list of African countries seeking a stronger foothold in global economic frameworks outside the traditional Western-dominated systems. The country’s government maintains that BRICS membership is not just about economic access but about participating in a multipolar global order where emerging economies can pursue development paths rooted in mutual respect and shared prosperity.
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