Davos: The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has announced that South Africa will host a Special World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit in 2027. Speaking at the recent World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Lamola emphasized South Africa’s strategic position as Africa’s most industrialized economy and a key voice of the Global South, which makes it well-suited to convene global leaders to tackle pressing global challenges.
According to South African Government News Agency, South Africa’s leadership in climate diplomacy, renewable energy transition, digital transformation, and regional integration aligns closely with the World Economic Forum’s mission to improve the state of the world. World leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia gathered in Davos from January 19 to 23, 2026, for discussions on global issues and setting priorities.
South Africa’s delegation to the 2026 WEF meeting held fruitful meetings with global investors, potential investors, and business partners. Led by the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, these meetings provided Team South Africa a platform to showcase the country’s progress in implementing reforms aimed at unlocking growth and generating employment.
Godongwana highlighted the delegation’s achievements, stating, “When we came here in 2025, we presented our ambitious plan for driving economic reforms, building investor confidence, and mobilizing private investment. We returned in 2026 with concrete evidence of our progress. We returned not with promises, but with real successes.”
In interactions with potential investors and business partners, the delegation underscored the positive effects of South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist and an upgrade of its sovereign credit rating by S and P Global. They also discussed structural reforms driven by Operation Vulindlela that have stabilized electricity supply, improved port and freight rail operations, and boosted infrastructure investment.
The Minister stressed the government’s commitment to stabilizing debt within the current fiscal year, signaling a dedication to macroeconomic stability and consistent policy execution essential for fostering higher local and global investment. The National Treasury noted that lowering the inflation target would contribute to reducing economic costs and providing policy and price certainty for investors.
During a press conference hosted by the WEF, Team South Africa reported on its 2025 G20 Presidency, which culminated in a historic G20 Leaders’ Declaration. Godongwana remarked, “Our G20 Presidency offered an increasingly rare opportunity for economic cooperation and dialogue to rise above narrow self-interest, geopolitical rivalry, and brinksmanship.”
The Ministerial delegation included Minister Lamola; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau; Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni; Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; and Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille.