South Africa stakes its claim at Davos 2026
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 convenes in Davos this week.
Image: Supplied
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this week, South Africa is presenting a pipeline of investment-ready infrastructure projects aimed at attracting global capital and long-term partnerships.
“Team South Africa hopes to convert the forum’s buzz into a pipeline of sustainable investments that will underpin the country’s growth trajectory for years to come,” said Brand South Africa.
The delegation, led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, will use the Forum to show that the country is a partner of choice, not just an aid recipient.
“The delegation’s strategic intent is to position South Africa as an attractive investment destination reflected in demonstrable progress in attaining macroeconomic stability, positive momentum in economic reform implementation, regional leadership, and global diplomacy,” said the government.
Brand South Africa said the delegation will highlight initiatives designed to translate dialogue into deals, including the Gauteng-Durban high-speed rail, expansions at the ports of Durban and Cape Town, and utility-scale solar farms.
Many of these projects have achieved “ready-to-build” status, lowering the due diligence burden for institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and development banks.
The government also plans to reinforce South Africa’s role in regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In 2024, the country exported R571 billion worth of goods across Africa, and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange remains Africa’s largest and most liquid capital market.
“South Africa has long positioned itself as a regional leader in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Davos 2026 offers a stage to reinforce that narrative on the world’s biggest policy platform,” Brand South Africa said.
The Forum itself highlights that responsible sourcing, traceability, and ESG standards are central to credibility in the global investment landscape.
By combining bankable infrastructure, reforms, and regional integration, South Africa aims to show that it can turn policy ambition into tangible investment opportunities.
Brand South Africa said if WEF “can serve as a catalyst for the deals, reforms, and collaborations that South Africa is championing, this Forum may well be remembered as the moment the country turned a period of global uncertainty into a springboard for inclusive, sustainable growth”.
IOL BUSINESS