Five Fingers or One Hand? The BRICS in Development Cooperation

Abstract

The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are increasingly prominent in development cooperation activities in low-income countries in Africa and worldwide, presenting a potential alternative to the development aid model of traditional donors. However, there are significant differences as well as overlaps between them, which need further attention in future engagement. This briefing summarises the findings from five IDS State of the Debate reports, outlining the contested and shifting discourse on development within and between the BRICS states, and the significant recent changes in the BRICS development cooperation framework.