Zimbabwe strengthens ties with Russia in bid to join BRICS

Speaking at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday, March 6, Prof. Murwira emphasised that Zimbabwe’s interest in joining BRICS is driven by economic considerations rather than political alignment.

“We discussed joining economic groupings, and one of the economic groupings is BRICS, which is basically made up of the Russian Federation, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, plus other countries that have recently joined,” he said, adding that “we believe that for Zimbabwe to grow, it needs to be in a grouping of countries that trade together because trade grows economies.”

Prof. Murwira stated that Zimbabwe is actively pursuing BRICS membership under the direction of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, recognising the bloc as a crucial platform for fostering economic growth and stability.

“We are actually taking steps to join BRICS under the direction of President Mnangagwa. So we are on the way to do that, and we are doing that in order to grow our economy. Peace is fostered through economic development, and BRICS is one of those groupings which Zimbabwe wishes to be part of,” the Herald Online quotes.

Further highlighting Zimbabwe’s collaboration with Russia and other nations, Prof. Murwira stressed the importance of innovation, education, science, and technology in driving economic development.

“So, what we have done with the Russian Federation and many other countries is to coalesce around the idea of growing capabilities, and this comes through education, innovation, science, and technology,” he said.

BRICS, originally founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was established to provide an alternative economic order to the current system dominated by the United States and its Western allies.