Do Businesses from the BRICS Contribute to Development in Africa?

As businesses from emerging economies become more globalised, expectations are raised about their role as responsible corporate citizens and development actors when operating in low-income countries. While businesses from the global North have been the usual targets for praise or criticism with regards to their contributions (or lack thereof) to African development, little is known about the development contribution of firms from the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). It is important to explore a variety of activities of these firms in Africa, which they consider to be developmental, and the justification behind them. In this context, there is a need to ask and understand how these firms view their own role as development partners for Africa.