The BRICS economic bloc has grown to include 10 full members after Indonesia officially joined on January 6, 2025 according to Daily Sun. The group, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has maintained its expansion momentum that began last year.

Indonesia brings significant economic weight to the alliance as the world's 16th-largest economy by nominal GDP and 8th-largest by purchasing power parity. With a population of over 281 million people, Indonesia ranks as the fourth most populous nation globally.

The World Bank projects Indonesia's GDP to grow at an average rate of 5.1% annually from 2024 to 2026. The country is a major global exporter of natural resources including crude petroleum, natural gas, rubber, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, sugar, tea, tobacco, copra, and spices.

BRICS now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia. The alliance has been steadily growing its global economic and political influence through strategic partnerships.

The UAE's financial sector has also seen recent advancement with Emirates NBD launching cryptocurrency trading services on March 5. The Dubai government-owned bank now allows customers to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano through its Liv X app, partnering with Aquanow for trading services and Zodia Custody for asset custody.

Beyond the full members, BRICS has also added several partner states, each bringing strategic advantages:

• Belarus: Russia's close security ally in Europe
• Bolivia: Home to the world's largest lithium reserves (23 million tonnes)
• Kazakhstan: The 9th-largest country globally with Caspian Sea ports
• Cuba: Rich in minerals like nickel and cobalt with strategic Caribbean location

Other partner states include Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Nigeria. Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, is expected to see GDP growth of 3.6% per year in 2025-2026 according to World Bank forecasts.

The expansion comes as BRICS seeks to increase its role in global trade and finance. Malaysia offers potential as a strategic semiconductor hub through its National Semiconductor Strategy, while Thailand positions itself as a "bridge builder" with regional groups like ASEAN, APEC, and others.