How developing nations are building new alliances

Once bound tightly to aid and trade frameworks dictated by the West, countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are increasingly forging new alliances that prioritise mutual benefit, strategic autonomy, and economic resilience.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2023) highlights this trend as a core pillar of South–South cooperation, which is rapidly reshaping global governance.

For decades, North–South aid relationships dominated development models, with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) playing central roles. Today, many developing countries are seeking alternatives. According to the World Bank (2022), South–South trade now represents over 25% of global trade, compared with just 8% in the early 1990s. This shift signals a move away from dependency on traditional Western institutions toward more balanced and diversified partnerships.

• Growth in intra-South trade: Asia-Africa trade has surged.
• Diversification of finance: Developing countries tap into emerging lenders like China’s EXIM Bank and regional development banks.
• Shared political agendas: Many of these alliances reject conditional aid models.

The expansion of trade and infrastructure projects has become a cornerstone of new alliances. The China-Africa Research Initiative (2023) reports that China-Africa trade exceeded $282 billion in 2022, making Beijing Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner. India, meanwhile, has become a key energy and pharmaceutical partner, while Brazil is extending agricultural and technical cooperation across the continent. These relationships not only provide new markets but also strengthen South–South solidarity.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Philippine MP says Duterte impeachment tests rule of law

• China: Belt and Road investments in roads, ports, and railways.
• India: Affordable medicines and IT solutions for African markets.
• Brazil: Agricultural technology transfers, especially in cassava and soy production.

Beyond economics, developing nations are strengthening political and security ties. Organisations like the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are expanding influence, with recent additions such as Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia highlighting the group’s growing relevance. Analysts at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2023) note that such alliances challenge Western-dominated forums like the G7 and NATO, offering alternative spaces for political dialogue and security collaboration.

While the rise of these alliances signals progress, challenges remain. Power imbalances often persist, with larger economies like China or India exerting disproportionate influence. The World Bank (2022) warns that debt sustainability, transparency, and labour conditions must be monitored closely to prevent exploitation. Similarly, environmental concerns around mega-infrastructure projects have raised alarms among civil society groups in both Africa and Asia.