South Africa: Africa's G20 is done and dusted. Like a teenage dream, it got a rude awakening due to the strong blow of Realpolitik amid Trump 2.0.
Overall, the outcomes of Africa's G20 event were 'more symbolism than substance'. With no agreement on African debt and no progress on peace and fair trade, Africa is entering a complex geopolitical world.
The BRICS grouping is taking steps to deepen partnership potential. Current realpolitik means that increased US and EU military budgets, deep cuts in development aid, and trade wars mean that the BRICS bloc offers substantial growth potential. But can African nations reap these benefits? Let's open it.
BRICS is a promoter of multilateralism and is a natural partner with the AU, ASEAN and the G77. The BRICS giants have achieved structural transformation, industrialization and are moving up the global technology value chain. These are also lessons for many emerging countries in Africa.
Aligning with Africa's 2026 priorities
As the African Union (AU) meets at its 39th extraordinary meeting, Africa faces a deep water and sanitation crisis, with more than 400 million people without access to basic drinking water and more than 700 million without safely managed sanitation. The 2026 AU Theme of the Year is sustainable water availability and safe water, essential to achieving the AU's Agenda 2063, promoting economic growth, social development and climate resilience. Emphasizes cleanliness.
Addressing Africa's water and sanitation challenges requires a comprehensive, integrated and people-centred approach that defines Agenda 2063's philosophy of African ownership and African solutions.
The African Union's 2026 priorities and theme of the year: “Assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems” include key focus areas on advancing climate resilience ahead of COP30, enhancing infrastructure, accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for economic growth, and maintaining peace and security.
water and sanitation
The AU is prioritizing sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems and water efficiency to promote development and health across the continent.
The BRICS countries have commitments to infrastructure development in their Declaration on Water and Climate Investment, and they have endorsed the WHO Declaration on Health for All, which provides a strong foundation for development support. India's progress on large-scale sanitation implementation over the past decade has been remarkable, and African countries could benefit from much collaboration in this area.
climate change and environment
Building on the 2025 African Climate Summit, the 2026 initiative focuses on climate-resilient development and environmental protection.
From floods in Mozambique, Limpopo and KZN to drought in Zimbabwe, BRICS countries have taken climate change pledges as a mainstay. Brazil's leadership in the COP 30 Belen Declaration, the green superpowers of Russia and China as nuclear technology partners, and support for the Loss and Damage Fund are hallmarks of the BRICS countries.
A range of climate resilience technologies and disaster management systems from the BRICS key countries can assist Africa. From solar energy to water conservation to AI and sustainability, the leading BRICS countries have the technology and the will to cooperate to help.
economic integration
The agenda focuses on the implementation of the AfCFTA, promotion of trade and development of infrastructure (PIDA) to promote job creation and economic growth.
The AfCFTA has been in operation for five years, and intercontinental trade is low. China's offer of duty-free access to African countries until 2025 is a big incentive. The BRICS New Development Bank is already investing and could further complement the AU's PIDA programme.
peace and security
The AU is prioritizing enhancing conflict resolution, mediation and regional security mechanisms to address ongoing conflicts.
Peace and security are impossible due to the rapidly increasing wars and conflicts in Africa. Many people are sensitive to great power competition. Here, the BRICS countries' commitment to multilateralism is good, but the role of individual BRICS nations, such as the UAE, in the Sudan civil war is problematic, and an opportunity for the BRICS countries to develop new norms for peace and security. Another opportunity is to support African peacekeepers.
Health and Social Development
Areas the AU wants to focus on include strengthening health systems, particularly sustainable financing for malaria, and enhancing social well-being. Health and social development are the main pillars of BRICS cooperation. The WHO pandemic treaty is a big boost for developing countries. BRICS countries China and Russia helped Africa during Covid.
Challenges such as affordable IP for health technology and pandemic preparedness are enduring issues where BRICS countries have the potential to move forward. Investment in human capital development and rural health is an area where BRICS countries could increase support in the context of USAID cuts.
An example of this is Egypt's Zypto Pharma City, a large-scale pharmaceutical hub north of Cairo. Local production can reduce import dependence, increase self-sufficiency in health care, and provide high-value industrial opportunities. Egypt's focus on building a strong pharmaceutical ecosystem is in line with the need to develop medical and pharmaceutical industries that meet African countries' domestic needs and integrate into the global supply chain. South Africa can leverage these fellow BRICS partnerships to make AfCFTA a reality.
institutional reform
The 2026 budget sees an increase in self-financing, reflecting a commitment to institutional reform and reducing dependence on international partners.
The AU has long been criticized for being donor dependent, and some level of autonomy is welcome. However, AU reforms must deepen and generate self-resources. African peacekeeping needs to be promoted as US budget cuts are the new reality for the UN. Many Nairobi-based UN agencies have faced major cutbacks.
African digitalization
The integration of digital technologies and AI in key sectors such as energy and transportation is a priority for infrastructure development.
Africa's industrialization is lagging behind other developing regions. This renewed focus aims to address fundamental local challenges such as economic diversification, job creation and energy transition, and also align with global megatrends such as digitalization and green industrialization.
The BRICS model of digital industrialization is relevant. Investments in AI capacity and human capital development, as well as broadband and connectivity in line with the AU Digital Transformation Strategy 2030, are critical to boost education and economic growth. AI strategies can only be successful if basic and intermediate infrastructures such as energy and broadband are in place. Here, the BRICS model is more compelling and relevant to Africa.
As the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February will finalize these initiatives, 2026 marks a turning point for multilateralism in the Global South. Therefore, there is a need for a new BRICS-Africa narrative and partnership in the Global South.
This is an opportune time for a new Africa Union – the BRICS Partnership Forum, based on a new charter, which can be a key enabler for growing Global South cooperation in a brave new world.