South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo are set to participate in the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The 18th BRICS Summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13 under India’s chairship. Ramaphosa will represent South Africa, a full BRICS member, while Alupo will lead Uganda’s delegation as a BRICS partner country. The summit will focus on development, trade, investment, financial cooperation and reform of global institutions. India is hosting the meeting under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”Who Is Attending BRICS Summit?The arrival of senior African representatives adds to the international participation ahead of the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending the leaders’ meeting at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo is leading her country’s delegation as Uganda participates through the BRICS partner-country framework.The summit brings together the expanded BRICS grouping and invited partner countries. The 11 full members include India, China, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Uganda is among the partner countries participating in the wider BRICS framework.Cyril Ramaphosa will represent South Africa at the summit.Jessica Alupo is leading Uganda’s delegation.Uganda participates as a BRICS partner country.The summit is scheduled for September 12–13.Bharat Mandapam is the main summit venue.African Leaders Join BRICSSouth Africa has been a full BRICS member since 2011 and remains an important part of the grouping’s African representation. President Ramaphosa is expected to use the New Delhi meeting to promote stronger trade and investment among BRICS countries, industrialisation and greater investment in African infrastructure.The South African delegation also plans to participate in the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Dialogue. Discussions will include trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation, according to the South African Presidency.Uganda’s participation highlights the wider BRICS partner-country framework created as the grouping expanded its engagement beyond its 11 full members. Uganda is one of 10 partner countries that joined the framework in 2025, providing an additional channel for structured cooperation with BRICS.Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026 Focuses on Global Welfare and Key International Issues, Says PM ModiSummit Discussions Take ShapeThe BRICS Summit 2026 comes after more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements held across 25 Indian cities during the country’s chairship. The discussions have covered political and security cooperation, economic and financial matters, technology, agriculture, health and people-to-people exchanges.For South Africa, the summit is also an opportunity to advance Global South interests and discuss reform of global governance and international financial institutions. The meeting takes place amid major geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.Key HighlightsBRICS Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi on September 12–13.South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the leaders’ summit.Uganda Vice President Jessica Alupo is leading Uganda’s delegation.Uganda is a BRICS partner country, not a full member.India’s chairship theme focuses on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.Trade, investment, development and global governance reform are key areas of discussion.African Participation At BRICSThe participation of South Africa and Uganda adds a strong African dimension to the BRICS Summit New Delhi discussions. Ramaphosa is expected to push for deeper economic cooperation, while Alupo’s participation represents Uganda’s engagement through the BRICS partner-country mechanism.With the summit beginning on September 12, attention will now turn to the leaders’ discussions and their expected outcomes. India’s chairship aims to strengthen cooperation among the expanded grouping while keeping development and Global South priorities central to the agenda.Disclaimer: This article is provided for knowledge purposes and to provide news information based on verified reports.
