Dar es Salaam, Feb. 5 -- The increasing number of African countries seeking to join the BRICS group signifies a strategic shift by the continent aimed at deepening its influence in the global community and securing new economic pathways for the future, analysts say.

With Ethiopia and Egypt being the latest African countries to join BRICS this year, Kenyas President William Ruto has also expressed interest in joining the group.

Experts have argued that BRICS is becoming increasingly attractive to African countries because it is guided by principles of sovereign equality, inclusiveness, strategic cooperation, and multilateralism. The growing affiliation with BRICS, especially by African countries, is also anchored in the perceived shortco...