The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced plans to bring its flagship Africa summit back to South Africa in April 2027, ending a seven-year pause caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chido Munyati, WEF’s Head of Africa, confirmed that the high-profile meeting will be hosted in either Johannesburg or Cape Town. The return of the summit marks a significant milestone, restoring a key platform for dialogue between African leaders, global investors, policymakers, and innovators.
The announcement reflects a renewed international focus on Africa’s economic future, with the 2027 gathering expected to spotlight strategies for sustainable growth and development across the continent. A central theme is likely to be large-scale job creation, a pressing priority as Africa grapples with a rapidly growing and youthful population.
Momentum is already building around these discussions. At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, conversations have increasingly centered on major drivers of African growth, including the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade, and the renewable energy sector, seen as a critical engine for inclusive and sustainable development.
With its return to South Africa, the WEF Africa summit is poised to once again play a pivotal role in shaping policy, investment, and partnerships that will influence the continent’s economic trajectory for years to come.
