THE recent BRICS+ Summit in Kazan, Russia, presents Zimbabwe with a viable alternative to navigate the economic challenges wrought by the illegal Western-imposed sanctions. This gathering, the first of its kind, set the tone for a more stable global political and economic order, one in which Zimbabwe can play a key role due to its abundant natural resources and vast investment opportunities. Naturally, Zimbabwe finds itself aligned with BRICS powerhouses such as China and Russia, who have also had to grapple with diplomatic and economic rifts with the hostile West. For 24 years, Zimbabwe has faced intense pressure from Western countries over its sterling efforts to control its resources and achieve economic sovereignty.
The Land Reform and Resettlement Programme, which sought to redistribute land and resources to the majority, triggered the imposition of sanctions, with the West accusing Zimbabwe of undermining democracy. However, what Zimbabwe has truly done is put into practice economic democracy, giving the masses control over their country’s wealth in order to foster national development. Western sanctions are being used to punish Zimbabwe for its quest for economic independence. These sanctions are meant to stifle the empowerment of the previously disadvantaged, halting their upliftment and discouraging other nations from reclaiming control over their own resources.
The message sent by the sanctions is clear: Any attempt to dismantle the colonial-era structures of resource control will be met with dire economic consequences. However, despite the sanctions, Zimbabwe has managed to remain resilient. It has forged alliances with friendly countries like China, Russia and South Africa — nations that understand the importance of sovereignty and control over their natural resources. Instead of collapsing under the weight of sanctions, Zimbabwe has strengthened its position on the global stage.
The emergence and subsequent growth of BRICS have opened new doors for Zimbabwe, allowing it to build strategic partnerships with like-minded nations and explore new economic opportunities. BRICS, which initially comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later South Africa, has grown into a formidable economic and political force. In 2023, the bloc expanded to include Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Argentina, further demonstrating its increasing relevance in global affairs. The attendance of 24 leaders and representatives from 32 countries at the recent summit signals the world’s growing readiness to shift away from the West’s unsustainable unipolar dominance.
BRICS+ now represents half of the world’s population, 40 percent of global trade and 40 percent of crude oil production. The bloc accounts for 36 percent of global GDP, amounting to a combined total of US$28,5 trillion. Moreover, BRICS has established the New Development Bank (NDB), a key institution designed to counter the monopolistic control of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) —institutions often used by the West to exert influence over developing nations. Zimbabweans will recall the devastating effects of the IMF’s Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP) in the early 1990s, which left the country’s economy in limbo. The NDB offers an alternative to such Western-controlled mechanisms, providing developing nations with greater f inancial autonomy and reducing their dependence on Western financial institutions.
In a pre-summit address, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised that BRICS+ is set to redefine global political and economic dynamics. According to Putin, BRICS will drive global economic growth in the foreseeable future, offering an alternative to the West’s hegemonic control. He highlighted the development of a SWIFT-like financial messaging system that will be immune to Western sanctions, allowing BRICS nations to conduct f inancial transactions without fear of punitive measures.
The adoption of national currencies for funding investment projects within the bloc is another step towards ensuring economic sovereignty. Western sanctions have severely impacted Zimbabwe’s financial services sector, making it difficult for the country to conduct business with the rest of the world. The proposed financial infrastructure within BRICS+ provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to bypass these restrictions and engage in international trade without relying on Western financial systems.
“The countries in our association are the drivers of global economic growth,” said Putin. “In the foreseeable future, BRICS will generate the main increase in global GDP. This is essentially economic sovereignty.” BRICS+, through its financial mechanisms and trade frameworks, offers a new direction for global development — one that is more inclusive and equitable. As a development institution, the NDB serves as an alternative to Western-controlled financial bodies, providing developing nations like Zimbabwe with the tools needed to achieve sustainable growth.
Following the imposition of Western sanctions, Zimbabwe adopted the Look East Policy, which has delivered significant results, particularly through its partnership with China. Despite negative perceptions fuelled by Western-funded media, China has been a key ally in Zimbabwe’s fight against sanctions, offering much-needed support to local communities and the economy at large.
Chinese companies operating in Zimbabwe have implemented sustainable initiatives that benefit communities devastated by sanctions. For example, Kamativi Mining Company, a Chinese-owned entity, has been actively involved in social corporate responsibility programmes. In July, the company renovated the Kamativi Community Auditorium and handed over food relief to over 2 800 people in the area.
Additionally, the company employs hundreds of locals, providing much-needed jobs in a region hard-hit by sanctions. These efforts reflect a broader trend of Chinese companies contributing to the development of Zimbabwe’s communities. Such initiatives offer a lifeline to ordinary Zimbabweans, many of whom have been severely affected by the economic restrictions imposed by the West. If the goal of Western sanctions was to galvanise Zimbabweans into turning against their Government, that strategy has clearly failed.
Instead, Zimbabwe has found eternal friends in BRICS and China — nations that are committed to supporting the country’s growth and development. The emergence of BRICS+ as a global force offers Zimbabwe a clear path to economic recovery and independence. With strategic partnerships in place and alternative financial mechanisms on the horizon, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to break free from the constraints of Western dominance and chart its own course in the multipolar world.
As BRICS+ continues to grow and expand, Zimbabwe’s role in this new world order will undoubtedly become more prominent. With its vast mineral wealth
and untapped investment opportunities, Zimbabwe is poised to be a key player in the global economy of the future. Let those with ears listen.