The World Economic Forum will hold its Spring Meeting in South Africa in 2027, bringing one of the Forum’s major global platforms to the African continent, the organization announced Thursday in partnership with the South African government.
The move follows the resumption of the Forum’s Africa-focused summits, last held in Cape Town in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person global gatherings.
It also builds on South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025, which concluded with a leaders’ summit in November, following more than 135 official business events held across the country.
South Africa convened global leaders during its presidency around issues of solidarity, equality and sustainability, while advancing implementation of agreed outcomes.
Speaking at a news conference, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said the selection reflected “confidence in South Africa’s ability to host major global business events.”
She said business events and tourism contribute about 8.8% to the national gross domestic product and support at least 1.8 million jobs annually, adding that hosting the Spring Meeting would “further strengthen the sector and support job creation.”
De Lille said tourism continued to act as “a catalyst for economic growth,” citing its role in stimulating investment and revitalizing local economies.
According to the World Economic Forum, the 2027 Spring Meeting will provide a platform for leaders from government, business and civil society to align priorities, explore investment opportunities and strengthen cooperation across regions, with a focus on growth, resilience and long-term economic opportunity.
The South Africa meeting will follow the Forum’s upcoming global summit scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Reporting by Felix Tih in Davos, Switzerland
