BRICS+ Series: US intensifies Chinese Chip Development Regulation
The US has ramped up pressure on China’s semiconductor ambitions by ordering top American software firms to halt sales of chip design tools to Chinese companies. The move, targeting EDA giants like Synopsys and Cadence, marks a major escalation in Washington’s tech clampdown and comes just as US-China trade tensions subdued.
Cairo's Emerging Tech start-up Hub
Discover how Cairo is rapidly becoming a tech startup powerhouse in the MENA region, driven by government support, a young STEM-focused population, and strategic partnerships. What does the future hold for Egypt's digital transformation?
What Ngugi wa Thiong'o Taught Us About Freedom, Power, and Betrayal
Reflecting on the life and legacy of Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Dr Iqbal Survé explores the profound lessons he imparted about freedom, power, and the ongoing struggles faced by Africa.
BRICS+ Series: China’s Belt & Road Initiative is Advancing Ethiopia’s Infrastructure
Ethiopia's strategic partnership with China under the Belt and Road Initiative exemplifies a new development model for the Global South, as it aligns with BRICS' vision of infrastructure-led growth and cooperative partnerships.
BRICS+ Series: Unlocking Thailand’s Potential in Trade
Thailand, a new BRICS+ partner, faces significant economic challenges, including rising debt and factory closures, yet its membership may provide a lifeline for revitalising industrial policy and fostering regional cooperation
Digital Finance at the Core of Brazil’s Fintech Transformation
The Fintech Revolution in Brazil is reshaping its financial landscape, driven by the rapid adoption of digital payment systems like Pix, the rise of online lending platforms, and progressive regulatory frameworks. With over 80% of adults engaged in digital payments and a thriving startup ecosystem of over 1,500 fintechs, Brazil is emerging as a global fintech leader. However, regulatory and infrastructural challenges remain, even as innovations promise an inclusive financial future.
BRICS+ Series: How OPEC and BRICS are Shaping the Future of Global Energy Trade
The developing relationship between OPEC+ and BRICS is significantly reshaping the global energy landscape. The coinciding membership of energy giants like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE in both the blocs is an indicator of the rising influence of the Global South in energy governance, contesting the Western-dominated order and redefining global oil trade.
White Refugees in South Africa: Fear, Fiction, or Historical Reckoning?
Is the idea of white refugees in South Africa fact or fiction — a genuine fear, or a red herring distracting us from deeper truths about belonging and identity in this country?
BRICS+ Series: Nigeria-India Economic Relationship
The Nigeria-India partnership represents a new model of South-South cooperation that transcends traditional aid relationships. Focusing on strategic collaboration in pharmaceuticals, energy sector development, and knowledge exchange, this relationship demonstrates how emerging economies are reshaping global power dynamics while addressing shared development challenges. As both nations engage more actively in platforms like BRICS, their partnership offers insights into the future of international economic relations.
BRICS+ Series: What the US-Russia Trade Resurgence Means for Global Geopolitics
Despite ongoing political tensions, US-Russia trade surged to a two-year high in March 2025, revealing the limits of Western sanctions and the persistence of economic interdependence. Driven by US demand for Russian raw materials, this resurgence reflects a broader shift toward pragmatic multipolarism, where geopolitical rivalry coexists with trade necessity—reshaping global multilateralism in a fractured but interconnected world.
BRICS+ Series: Lithium Powerhouse Bolivia in BRICS
Bolivia having been welcomed as a partner nation within the BRICS economic alliance, marks a major milestone in its foreign policy. President Luis Arce emphasises the strategic significance of the country’s integration into the bloc.
Choose Peace, Because Nuclear War Is A Real Possibility For The First Time in 80 years
The powder keg the world is sitting on has been lit, but nuclear Armageddon can be averted
BRICS+ Series: Egypt's Closed Rafah Crossing
Egypt faces a humanitarian crisis as Israel's military actions close the Rafah border crossing, Gaza's only lifeline. Egypt's role has shifted since its 1979 peace treaty with Israel, and as a BRICS nation, it faces pressure to act amidst a humanitarian crisis. With over a million Palestinians trapped, displaced and international courts demanding action, Egypt's decisions will impact regional dynamics and its global standing.
For the first time in 80 years, nuclear war is a real possibility
With the shadow of Hiroshima and Nagasaki looming large, we must confront the unsettling reality: the threat of nuclear war is no longer a distant fear but an imminent danger. What can we do to prevent history from repeating itself?
BRICS+ Series: Saudi Arabia’s First Sovereign Green Bond A Milestone in Sustainable Finance
Saudi Arabia has taken a major step toward sustainable finance with the issuance of its first sovereign green bond in February 2025. The bond received an overwhelming response from global investors, being oversubscribed six times. This strong demand underscores growing confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economic outlook and its commitment to environmentally responsible investment opportunities.
BRICS+ Series: China’s Expanding Digital & E-commerce Economy
China is investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen its economy and global influence, with a strong focus on sectors like healthcare, finance, and public security. By implementing AI in areas such as diagnostics and autonomous vehicles. China aims to drive significant advancements. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai are becoming key hubs for AI innovation, supported by government initiatives, research zones, and financial incentives.
BRICS+ Series: How the BRICS Reserve Arrangement is Challenging Western Financial Dominance
As BRICS expands with new members in 2025, its Contingent Reserve Arrangement is evolving from a simple financial safety net into a powerful instrument of economic sovereignty. This analysis examines how the CRA is challenging IMF dominance, supporting Global South economies, and reshaping international finance without Western-imposed austerity measures.
BRICS+ Series: Cannabis in South Africa: Policy Reversals and R28 Billion Economic Opportunity
South Africa's cannabis industry has the potential to generate substantial revenue and jobs, but faces regulatory uncertainty. Despite a 2018 court ruling legalising private use and cultivation, recent policy changes highlight the challenges of balancing economic opportunity with public health concerns. South Africa's experience offers valuable lessons for other countries considering cannabis legalisation.
BRICS+ Series: The Economic Implications of BRICS+ in the MENA Region
The expansion of BRICS+ into the MENA region, with the inclusion of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, is reshaping global economic dynamics and investment flows.
BRICS+ Series: India’s Evolving Presence in Africa: Reflecting on TEAM-9 and Beyond
This analysis examines how India's engagement with Africa has evolved from the focused TEAM-9 initiative of 2004 to today's comprehensive partnerships spanning trade, technology, infrastructure, and education. As India-Africa bilateral trade surpasses $90 billion and BRICS expands to include African nations, India positions itself as a crucial bridge between Africa and Asia in the emerging multipolar world order.
BRICS+ Series: China’s Green Energy Plan, Embarking on the Global Renewable Revolution
China's unprecedented surge in renewable energy development is reshaping the global energy landscape. With record-breaking investments in solar, wind, and battery technology, China has not only become the world's largest clean energy producer but is actively driving down costs worldwide. China's strategic vision and ambitious targets are accelerating the global transition to sustainable energy, despite ongoing challenges with grid infrastructure and coal dependency.
Dr Iqbal Survé | Why Human Rights Still Matter
On Human Rights Day, Dr Iqbal Survé urges reflection on our moral responsibilities and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in South Africa.
BRICS+ Series: South Africa's E-commerce Boom: How Digital Shopping is Reshaping BRICS Markets
Explore how the e-commerce industry is reshaping Africa's retail landscape, with projected revenues reaching $39. 44 billion by 2025 and the driving forces behind this transformation.
BRICS+ Series: The Rise of a Global Grain Powerhouse
BRICS+ is emerging as a global grain powerhouse, controlling over 50% of production and reshaping agricultural trade. With the 2024 launch of the BRICS+ Grain Exchange, the bloc is reducing reliance on Western markets, stabilisng prices, and enhancing food security. Much like OPEC with oil, BRICS+ could soon dictate global grain supply and pricing, redefining economic sovereignty.
BRICS+ Series: Political Persecution or Justice? Bolsonaro's Case Strains US-Brazil Relations
As former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faces potential imprisonment, his son's appeal to the Trump administration highlights the complex web of US-Brazil relations. This analysis explores the historical US influence in Latin America, current economic tensions, and the shifting global alliances reshaping international politics.