As of January 19, 2025, BRICS has officially expanded to include Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, which was admitted as a new partner on January 17, 2025. This expansion brings the total number of BRICS members and partners to 19, representing 54.6% of the world's population and 42.2% of global GDP (PPP) [22ef4d1c]. Indonesia was also accepted as a member earlier in January 2025, further enhancing BRICS' demographic and economic footprint [649c4e6c].
The inclusion of Nigeria, which has the sixth-largest population globally, is significant as it is projected to grow by an additional 65 million people from 2024 to 2037 [22ef4d1c]. This demographic shift underscores BRICS' commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation and reforming global governance structures, a key objective discussed during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in 2024 [22ef4d1c].
With the addition of Nigeria, BRICS now includes three of the most populous African countries: Nigeria (partner), Ethiopia, and Egypt (full members) [22ef4d1c]. Collectively, BRICS members and partners account for approximately 4.32 billion people out of a total world population of 7.92 billion [22ef4d1c]. This demographic leverage is expected to enhance BRICS' influence in international trade discussions, particularly in commodity markets, as five of the top ten oil-producing countries are now BRICS members, contributing over 30% of global oil production [22ef4d1c].
The recent expansions, including Indonesia and Nigeria, reflect BRICS' strategic direction towards reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar and enhancing economic collaboration among emerging economies [649c4e6c]. As BRICS continues to evolve, its ability to maintain political cohesion and financial strategies will be crucial, especially in light of external pressures, such as former U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs against BRICS nations [649c4e6c].
In summary, Nigeria's entry into BRICS not only strengthens the group's demographic representation but also positions it as a formidable player in global economic discussions, alongside Indonesia's recent membership, which is anticipated to facilitate substantial economic growth and trade opportunities for both nations [ad50eed9].