policy-briefing-62-81d68711632035f6.pdf

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes South Africa's role as the host of the 2013 BRICS Summit. It examines how South Africa can leverage its membership in the BRICS group to advance its own national interests and promote the development and industrialization of Africa, while navigating the complexities of regional leadership and the predominantly bilateral nature of BRICS-Africa economic engagements.

• The BRICS countries represent a significant shift in the global political economy, accounting for 25% of global gross domestic product, 30% of global land area, and 45% of the world's population based on 2011 statistics.
• Trade between BRICS nations and Africa has grown substantially, doubling since 2007 to an estimated $340 billion in 2012, with projections that it will exceed $500 billion by 2015.
• Despite the growth in trade, the economic relationship between BRICS and Africa remains largely bilateral and follows traditional patterns where Africa exports raw materials and imports manufactured goods.
• South Africa's BRICS membership is based on its perceived role as a regional leader and a 'gateway to Africa', though this leadership status is contested by other African nations including Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
• South Africa lacks a comprehensive 'twin strategy' that integrates foreign policy tools with commercial diplomacy, resulting in inadequate coordination between the government and the business sector.
• South Africa views the proposed BRICS Development Bank as a potential funding source for infrastructure development across the continent and the Tripartite Free Trade Area initiative, though it notes that Africa's prioritization will require strong diplomatic effort.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-briefing-62-81d68711632035f6.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Policy-Briefing-62.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-briefing-62-81d68711632035f6.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Policy-Briefing-62.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-briefing-62-81d68711632035f6.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Policy-Briefing-62.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicybriefing6281d68711632035f6pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-briefing-62-81d68711632035f6.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Policy-Briefing-62.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }