The World Economic Forum (WEF) announced on Friday that it will hold its first Africa-based global summit in seven years, scheduled for April 2027 in South Africa. The location will be either Johannesburg or Cape Town, WEF Head of Africa Chido Munyati told CNBC Africa in Davos, where the WEF is hosting its 56th annual meeting.
The last WEF Africa summit was held in Cape Town from September 4–6, 2019. The 2027 event will mark a return to the continent after pandemic-related cancellations disrupted several global forums. “The good news is we will be bringing Spring Davos to South Africa in 2027. There are great conversations that we are having with the government right now, so we are quite excited about it,” Munyati said.
The WEF Africa meeting will bring together business leaders, policymakers, academics, and representatives from civil society and international organisations. While the final participant list is still being finalised, past forums have attracted around 3,000 attendees from more than 130 countries.
The announcement comes amid growing interest in Africa’s economic and demographic potential. At a session moderated by CNBC Africa during the WEF’s 2026 annual meeting, panelists discussed strategies to create employment opportunities for the continent’s young population. The WEF’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report predicts that by 2050, lower-income countries will account for 59% of the global working-age population, with roughly two-thirds located in sub-Saharan Africa and India.
Discussion at Davos highlighted the potential of initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), renewable energy expansion, and innovation-driven industrialisation as catalysts for large-scale job creation. Officials and business leaders emphasised that fostering employment is critical for sustaining Africa’s economic growth and social stability.
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The WEF Africa summit is expected to provide a platform for high-level dialogue on investment, trade, industrialisation, and sustainable development. Analysts say hosting the forum in South Africa could also reinforce the country’s position as a continental hub for finance, innovation, and governance discussions.
The 2026 WEF annual meeting, still ongoing in Davos, has drawn around 3,000 participants, including business executives, government officials, and global policymakers. U.S. President Donald Trump attended, reflecting ongoing interest in global economic governance despite tensions over U.S. trade policies. Over the past two years, the U.S. has imposed tariffs on a wide range of countries, including allies and neutral states, sparking disputes over trade and economic diplomacy.
WEF organisers said the Africa-focused forum in 2027 will complement the main annual meetings in Davos and other regional gatherings, providing a dedicated space to address the continent’s strategic priorities. Officials said they are working closely with South African authorities to finalise logistics, security, and programming for what is expected to be a high-profile event.
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“The forum will enable African governments, investors, and civil society to engage directly with global leaders, fostering partnerships that can drive sustainable development and economic growth,” Munyati said.
The 2027 event is expected to cover key issues including job creation, industrialisation, energy transition, digitalisation, and cross-border trade. With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the summit will offer a critical opportunity for stakeholders to explore solutions to the continent’s demographic, economic, and technological challenges.
