BRICS weighs linking instant payments, digital currencies across member states
By Aboki Forex —
BRICS members are discussing the integration of their national instant payment systems and central bank digital currencies to cut cross-border transaction costs. Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra disclosed the talks in comments covered by Brazilian media and reported by TV BRICS.
Malhotra said the integration would bring national financial systems that currently operate independently closer together, creating a more seamless payments infrastructure across economies that collectively represent a significant share of global trade and output.
Cost reduction is the goal
Malhotra said cross-border payment costs are a shared concern across all BRICS members and that the group sees significant potential in reducing them through deeper financial connectivity.
“Cross-border payments are of interest to all of us, including the BRICS countries, as we believe there is great potential here for reducing costs,” he said.
He added that the technical parameters of any possible shared infrastructure have not yet been disclosed, and that both the specific integration model and the timeline for implementation remain under discussion.
India holds the BRICS chairmanship this year and is hosting the group’s annual summit, giving New Delhi significant influence over the agenda for financial integration discussions. The Reserve Bank of India had recommended earlier in 2026 that the government include the integration of central bank digital currencies on the agenda of the BRICS summit.
BRICS currently comprises ten countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. Each operates distinct financial systems and national currencies, making technical and regulatory coordination a significant challenge.
Nigeria’s place in BRICS
Nigeria formally joined BRICS as a partner country in January 2025, after the Brazilian government, which held the bloc’s presidency at the time, announced its admission. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said Nigeria’s inclusion reflected shared interests in strengthening cooperation among countries of the Global South and advancing reforms to international institutions.
Nigeria became the ninth BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan. The partner-country category was created at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.
Brazil said Nigeria’s large population, position as Africa’s most populous country and role in promoting South-South cooperation made it a natural addition to the expanded BRICS framework. The partner-country status allows Nigeria to participate in selected BRICS activities and engage with the bloc’s initiatives, potentially opening opportunities in trade, investment and cross-border financial cooperation.
What it means for Nigeria
For Nigeria, the significance of this development may lie in what comes next. As a BRICS partner country, Nigeria could potentially benefit from a future expansion of the bloc’s payment connectivity if partner countries are incorporated into the system.
The development comes about a year after Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the BRICS agenda. In April 2025, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, expressed support for BRICS’ efforts to promote a fairer, rules-based international order during the bloc’s Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also highlighted Nigeria’s alignment with BRICS’ vision for global financial reform and stronger multilateral cooperation, areas now directly relevant as the bloc explores ways to improve cross-border payments and reduce transaction costs.