Brics countries want to trade in own currencies

Brics+ countries are exploring how they can foster greater use of local currencies in their trade, instead of relying on a handful of major currencies, primarily the US dollar and the euro. The forum for cooperation among nine leading emerging economies – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates – emphasised this determination at their 16th summit in October 2024. Economist Lauren Johnston (LJ) recently wrote a paper on this development. The Conversation (TC) Africa asked her for her insights.