Africa at the World Economic Forum 2026: civil society perspectives on global dialogue and development impact
- Edwin Ochola
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
As the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting convened in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from January 19–23, 2026 under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, it might appear to many as another gathering of global elites—politicians, CEOs, and technocrats discussing abstract economic forecasts and geopolitical tensions. But for Africa, Davos is far more than symbolism; it is a platform with real, palpable stakes for the continent’s future economic and social development.
At its core, the WEF annual meeting is about shaping international cooperation on the most consequential issues of our time—economic growth, innovation, climate resilience, and global governance. This year’s discussions touched on AI transformation, climate change, geopolitical fragmentation, economic risk, and investment flows, among others. For Africa, the significance of these conversations is not academic; it is strategic.
Africa at the crossroads of global economic transformation
Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a ballooning youth population hungry for opportunity. Yet the continent also grapples with persistent challenges: unemployment, infrastructure deficits, climate vulnerability, and capital constraints. The global economy’s shift—whether through AI, new trade frameworks, or financing mechanisms—will shape Africa’s growth trajectory in the decade ahead. In Davos, African leaders shouldn’t just be passive attendees, but agenda-shapers. They must push growth discussions that reflect the continent’s priorities: structural reforms, investor confidence, and economic diversification.
Youth, jobs, and technological change
One of the defining features of Africa’s demographic future is its youth bulge. With roughly 60 % of the continent under the age of 25, policies around AI, jobs, education, and digital skills are not abstract—they will determine whether millions of young Africans thrive or struggle in the global economy.
The Forum’s focus on youth voices, employment pathways, and the impacts of AI on labor markets underscores concerns shared by many African policymakers and civil society actors: without intentional strategies for skilling and inclusion, technological progress could deepen inequalities rather than disperse opportunity.African delegates and youth representatives must ensure that global frameworks on technology also address job creation, transferable skills, and equitable participation—objectives critical for the continent’s long-term socio-economic stability.
Climate resilience and sustainable development
Climate change is not a distant risk for Africa; it is a lived reality. Droughts, floods, and shifting weather patterns are intensifying food insecurity and economic loss across regions. Events such as the devastating floods in Mozambique, which forced the country’s president to cancel plans to attend Davos, remind us that climate impacts are immediate and severe.
At Davos, leaders should stress that climate resilience be integrated into economic and technological dialogues, including work on water systems and sustainability initiatives. For African nations, this focus could create opportunities for climate financing, green investment, and collaborative solutions that can accelerate climate adaptation and resilience.
Building Africa’s voice in global governance
Africa’s participation at Davos is also about voice and representation. Whether it is the African Union’s work on sustainable mining and renewable energy infrastructure, or championing intra-continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African leaders must assert the continent’s agenda in spaces traditionally dominated by Western economic powers.This engagement matters because the rules, standards, and partnerships shaped at forums such as the WEF often influence capital flows, technology transfers, climate funding, and global economic governance—areas that directly affect Africa’s path toward prosperity.
From dialogue to impact
For Africa, the World Economic Forum in Davos should not just be an elite retreat. It should be a strategic theatre where ideas, commitments, and investments intersect. The people of continent are not only watching the outcomes—they hope to actively shape them.African leaders, private sector innovators, youth ambassadors, and civil society voices are all present because they recognize that the future of work, climate resilience, technology governance, and equitable investment flows will be influenced by the discussions held in Davos this year.
In an era of unprecedented global complexity—marked by geopolitical strains, rapid technological change, and economic uncertainty—Africa’s keen interest in the outcomes of Davos 2026 is grounded in a simple truth: the continent’s development agenda depends on how the world chooses to cooperate, invest, and innovate together.