The Global South Rises: How Russia Is Rewiring the Digital World Order
In the wake of escalating tensions with the West, Russia is turning its attention southward—toward Asia, Africa, and Latin America—in an effort to help shape a new global technology landscape. Far from retreating, Moscow is doubling down on digital sovereignty and pushing for a multi-polar tech ecosystem that doesn’t revolve around Washington, Brussels, or Silicon Valley.
And it’s finding plenty of allies.
From Isolation to Innovation
Sanctions and attempts to sideline Russia from the global economy have inadvertently triggered a new phase of diplomatic and technological realignment. The Global South—once treated as a peripheral market by the West—is emerging as a formidable bloc of economic and digital innovation.
"Western engines of progress are slowing down, while the South is picking up speed,” wrote Mikhail Margelov, vice president of the Russian International Affairs Council, in a recent op-ed. “By 2050 or 2060, it’s likely that the Global South will become the main source of new societal standards and technological paradigms.”
This isn’t just political rhetoric. Russia and its partners are already working on joint payment systems that bypass the U.S. dollar, scientific collaboration in AI and biotech, and shared digital infrastructure—ranging from secure cloud platforms to data exchange networks.
BRICS+ as a Geopolitical Tech Hub
At the center of this transformation is BRICS—originally an economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, now expanding its scope and ambition. In July, the 17th BRICS+ summit will convene with a broadened roster: Iran, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, and more. Together, these 20 countries will discuss how to rebalance the international economic order and safeguard the interests of the Global South.
What was once a loose economic forum has evolved into a springboard for digital and technological partnerships.
South–South Tech Collaboration
One of the most striking developments is the deepening of tech-driven cooperation between Global South nations. Once dismissed by the West as lagging or “developing,” countries across BRICS+ are not only catching up—they’re leapfrogging. Several now boast higher GDP growth than much of Europe, and they’re investing heavily in advanced digital infrastructure.
Russia’s role in this is central. For example, in its partnership with Vietnam, the two nations are jointly developing IT systems, AI applications, and secure communications technologies. More broadly, BRICS+ members are designing alternatives to Western tech giants—homegrown cloud systems, cyber defense networks, and even independent frameworks for AI ethics and governance.
A Forum for a Digital Future
Russia’s ambitions will be on full display this June at the Global Digital Forum in Nizhny Novgorod. As part of the "Digital Industry of Industrial Russia" conference, the forum will host delegations from over 30 countries to explore joint digital initiatives.
Much of the collaboration, however, is happening under the radar. Officials acknowledge that many joint ventures are deliberately kept low-profile to avoid interference from "unfriendly states." In other words, the South–South tech corridor is growing, even if it doesn't always make headlines.
The Bigger Picture
Russia sees leadership in digital innovation as more than just a strategic goal—it’s a survival imperative. With trust in Western institutions eroding in large parts of the world, Moscow is positioning itself as a partner of choice for countries seeking autonomy from Western-dominated digital ecosystems.
The rise of a Global South-led digital coalition may not dismantle existing tech hierarchies overnight, but it’s undoubtedly redrawing the map. For the first time in decades, the global tech order is in flux—and Russia is betting that the winds of change are blowing from the South.
