More than 60 heads of state attended the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in 2026, with the theme A Spirit of Dialogue.
A year ago, South Africa arrived at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, with a plan to drive economic reform. This time, the country returned with real successes instead of empty promises.
This was the view of Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, who led a delegation of government ministers, industry leaders, and state agency representatives to the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) meetings with global investors, potential investors, and business partners.
According to National Treasury, the WEF meetings gave Team South Africa a valuable platform to highlight the country’s recent progress in implementing the reforms needed to unlock growth and generate much-needed employment.
“When we came here in 2025, we presented our ambitious plan for driving economic reforms, building investor confidence and mobilising private investment. We returned in 2026 with concrete evidence of our progress. We returned not with promises, but with real successes,” Godongwana said.
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Team SA had opportunity to highlight successes at WEF
In engagements with potential investors and business partners, the delegation highlighted the positive impacts of South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist and an upgrade of its sovereign credit rating by rating agency S&P Global, as well as the structural reforms driven by Operation Vulindlela that stabilised electricity supply, improved port and freight rail operations and lifted investment in infrastructure.
Godongwana emphasised that government would deliver on its commitment to stabilise debt in the current fiscal year, signalling its commitment to the macroeconomic stability and consistent policy execution needed to create an environment for higher local and global investment.
He also noted that the recent lowering of the inflation target would contribute to reducing costs across the economy while providing policy and price certainty for investors.
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Team SA reported on G20 at WEF
The WEF also hosted a press conference where Team South Africa reported on its 2025 G20 Presidency that culminated in a historic G20 Leaders’ Declaration.
“Our G20 Presidency offered an increasingly rare opportunity for economic cooperation and dialogue to rise above narrow self-interest, geopolitical rivalry and brinksmanship,” Godongwana said.
“We will continue to act as a credible mediator on key issues of debt relief, climate and infrastructure finance, global tax rules and the reform of multilateral institutions.”
The ministerial delegation consisted of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, Small Business Development Minister Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.