China and Russia are gaining pace in using the BRICS platform to strategize to withstand the western pressures and sanctions, by 2025. BRICS growth membership and configured economic efforts is an indicator of an increasing threat to the hegemony of the western-led monetary institutions like IMF, World Bank, and SWIFT.
The strategy of Beijing can be characterized by stimulating BRICS trade, the involvement of local currencies in cross-border payments, and the decrease in the reliance on the U.S. dollar. Such an attempt is especially consistent with the desperate desire of Russia to get around Western sanctions that have been imposed since its invasion of Ukraine, but now exacerbated by new pressure of the U.S.
Strategic Economic Coordination
China has initiated institutionalization of BRICS financial collaboration as has become evident with its proposals to jointly develop a common payment system that would render SWIFT obsolete and democratisation of the New Development Bank (NDB) as an alternative to IMF. The NDB is gaining prominence in funding infrastructure, energy, and technology projects in the emerging economies that do not require policy strings that are often provided by Western institutions.
As the BRICS platform gives Russia not only diplomatic support but also economic lifelines due to China being its largest trading partner and a source of essential imports. In the meantime, the other BRICS members such as India, Brazil, and South Africa, have opportunities to explore more investment flows and diversify trade.
Expanding Membership and Influence
Additions of new countries, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Argentina, have transformed BRICS into a more internationally powerful group instead of a regional economic convoy. The combination of the vast impact on the world population (over 40 percent of the world population is represented by its members), an increasing contribution to international GDP and its slowing availability as a possible alternative to G7-dominated systems is facilitating the rise of BRICS.
This growth is part of China’s greater foreign policy to develop parallel international organizations that can act without the influence of the west. The involvement of Russia enhances this objective since Moscow aims to have partners to ease the effects of sanctions and isolation.
Implications for Global Trade and Finance
The shift in directions, towards an increased integration of the BRICS, poses a global threat to financial systems. Greater resort to domestic currencies has the potential to undermine the primacy of the dollar, and alternative payment methods, the dominance of the West in international transfer chains.
Nevertheless, internal divisions among BRICS, including rivalries between China and India or differing economic interests might reduce the range of actions that the bloc would be able to promote as a whole. The Western policymakers are also likely to react by reinforcing its alliance to other non-BRICS emerging economies, increased enforcement of sanctions, and proposing alternative investment chances.
Obstacles to Cutting Terror Financing
While the training marks a significant advancement, the underlying challenge remains formidable.
Evolving Funding Pathways
Terrorist organizations increasingly employ complex funding routes—cryptocurrencies, trade-based laundering, informal remittances—making them harder to trace. To stay effective, IMCTC members must modernize regulatory infrastructure, streamline inter-agency coordination, and advance legal tools.
Balancing preventive action with preserving rule of law and financial inclusion will also be critical to maintaining public legitimacy.
Sustaining Long-Term Momentum
Training efficacy depends on continuous political backing, capacity-building, and institutional buy-in. As threats intensify in regions like the Horn of Africa and Sahel, the stakes rise: disrupting financing can substantially erode militant operational capacity.
IMCTC’s emphasis on financial countermeasures strengthens regional resilience while reinforcing mutual accountability among its diverse membership.
A Forward-Looking Security Model
The Nairobi training exemplifies IMCTC’s transformation—placing financial oversight at the forefront of counterterrorist strategy. Equipping members to track, analyze, and dismantle illicit funding translates vision into impactful action.
As geopolitical volatility grows, intelligence-driven, lawful, and coordinated financial strategies will determine counterterrorism success. IMCTC’s collective model offers a promising template for collaboration tailored to contemporary security complexities.
Emerging challenges—cryptofinance, cross-border transaction opacity, adaptive terror tactics—will require strategic foresight and unwavering commitment. The Nairobi training establishes a benchmark: combatting terrorism financing is not only necessary—it is achievable with persistent, multilateral cooperation grounded in expertise.
By aligning financial resilience with shared purpose, IMCTC is redefining what effective, modern counterterrorism looks like.
