-
2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) will resume hosting its Africa Summit in South Africa next year in April. This after a seven-year-long absence.
Briefing the media following South Africa’s participation in the forum in Davos this week, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says the event will further bolster the tourism sector that already contributes 8.8% to South Africa’s GDP and supports 1.8 million jobs.
De Lille adds: “Let me start by thanking the WEF for selecting SA to host the Spring Davos in 2o27. We are ready, able and willing and look forward to us being afforded the opportunity. SA is the leading business event destination in the continent and Middle East. Business event and tourism contribute 8.8 percent to the GDP of SA.”
Another WIN for South Africa 🇿🇦 In 2027 the World Economic Forum’s Spring Davos comes to our shores. This is another vote of confidence in our world class MICE infrastructure. #TeamSA #WEF26 #WeDoTourism pic.twitter.com/wmAgJPciFF
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) January 22, 2026
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says South Africa will just take a break from participation in the G20 this year under the US presidency and will only resume full participation next year.
Godongwana told a media briefing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that South Africa’s influence on G20 issues will continue, despite the country being blocked from all G20 participation under the United States Presidency this year.
Godongwana says the US is not willing to accredit South African delegations.
“What we do know is that SA is on leave in 2026, not because the Americans can chase us out of the G20, but they hold an important instrument, the accreditation. If you don’t have the accreditation, you can’t get into the venue even if you are around. So, we must take this as a temporary setback for 2026. For 2027, the President is going to be the UK, I doubt the UK will take a similar posture,” says Godongwana.
Related video| SA delegation holds media briefing in Davos, Switzerland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ntXn8Gte0
