Foreign Min's Annual Africa Trip Confirmed, Inc. New BRICS Member Egypt

(MNI) London - As has been the case for the past 33 years, the Chinese foreign minister's first overseas visit of 2024 will be to Africa. The foreign ministry confirmed that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and the Ivory Coast from 13-18 Jan. This will be followed by visits to Brazil and Jamaica from 18-22 Jan, Foreign Ministry spox Mao Ning confirmed.

• The annual first visit of the year to a group of African nations usually coincides with the announcement of various investment deals or projects with the nations visited.
• This visit is also notable for including Egypt, which on 1 January became one of the new members of the BRICS group (alongside Ethiopia, Iran, Saudia Arabia and the UAE).
• The Washington, D.C.-based Atlantic Council think tank raisesthe issue of de-dollarisation, with the prospect of Egypt's BRICS membership hastening this development. "... the inclusion of Egypt and enthusiasm for the BRICS project in Algiers and Tunis foreshadow that North African states may become some of the most aggressive advocates for one of BRICS’s top priorities: de-dollarization...By including Egypt, BRICS can influence [...]Tunisian de-dollarization through Egyptian leadership inside existing trade regimes....In October, Egypt issued Chinese yuan-denominated bonds for the first time. And, in April, it was reported that Cairo was considering importing wheat in rupees and renminbi."