Ethiopia has confirmed its ambition to become a member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), with the country’s ambassador to Brazil, Leulseged Tadese Abebe, stating that this is among Ethiopia’s top priorities for the year. In a recent interview, the ambassador revealed that Ethiopia has formally submitted its application for membership.
“We are fully committed to integrating all the group’s mechanisms and arrangements,” he said. “One of the most important pillars in the BRICS family is the New Development Bank. We have already received political support from all BRICS members and hope to conclude our adherence process very soon,” he added.
Ambassador Abebe noted that once Ethiopia secures its membership, the country plans to channel focus into key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and industry. He also spoke about the African Union’s growing role within BRICS, highlighting the efforts of Ethiopia, South Africa, and Egypt in championing the interests of African nations, particularly in promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
“The African Union has common stances on various themes, including artificial intelligence, one of the priorities of the Brazilian BRICS presidency. So we can also speak with one voice to defend this agenda. Within the BRICS platform, we can promote Africa as a destination for trade, investments, and tourism,” the diplomat said.
The New Development Bank, established in 2014, aims to finance sustainable development efforts within BRICS nations. It has already supported a range of major initiatives across the Global South. Recently, the bank’s Vice President, Vladimir Kazbekov, reiterated its commitment to engaging in infrastructure projects, including clean energy, transport, water supply, and digital networks, during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.