Talk Shop or a Networking Platform?

First launched in 1971, the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) opened on Tuesday, convening global leaders from government, business, and technology sectors for this year’s gathering.

Attendees at the Davos gathering, nearing 3 000 in number this year, will once again have a chance to mingle with celebrities, socialites, and pop stars, invited to add glamour and vibrancy to the event.

Davos, a picturesque ski resort town in eastern Switzerland’s Alps, sits at an elevation of about 1 500 metres, and is home to roughly 10 000 residents.

Many critics perceive the WEF annual meetings as little more than a networking forum for politicians, corporate elites and the wealthy – marked by grandstanding, media theatrics, celebrity mingling, lavish dining and socialising, often at the expense of taxpayers or shareholders.

This year’s theme, ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, focuses on five pillars – cooperation, growth, investment in people, innovation and building prosperity – aiming to foster collaboration, deliver long-term solutions, and inspire collective action to address global challenges.

The five-day event, running from 19 to 23 January, features an extensive programme with more than 200 sessions for participants to choose from.

During the sessions, politicians, business leaders, and public figures will share insights and offer guidance on pressing global issues such as geopolitical risks, economic uncertainty and strategies for inclusive growth.

This is followed by attendees engaging in discussing and debate.

Countless activists, journalists and external observers have descended on Davos this year, ensuring the event garners extensive global media coverage.

Securing interviews with global leaders and top corporate figures is often challenging so journalists seize every opportunity available. Meanwhile, environmental, human rights and other activists leverage the event to spotlight critical issues and concerns.

Sixty heads of state and government, representing many of the world’s major economies, are among the 400 prominent political leaders attending.

The group includes presidents and prime ministers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Oceania, and North America.

Although his arrival was delayed by technical issues with his aircraft, media coverage has largely centred on the anticipated appearance of United States (US) president Donald Trump, whose speech and off-the-cuff remarks are expected to draw significant attention.

This comes as no surprise, given the growing complexity of global geopolitics, fuelled by Trump’s statements and policies alongside the enforcement of aggressive tariff measures.

The US delegation to this year’s WEF is reportedly the largest ever, featuring several cabinet ministers, including high-profile figures such as secretary of state Marco Rubio, treasury secretary Scott Bessent, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

To counter perceptions that Africa will have a limited presence at this year’s WEF, the Africa Collective Hub has announced plans to spotlight key themes such as trade, investment infrastructure and technology for growth.

Additionally, South Africa has announced plans to showcase a portfolio of investment-ready projects designed to attract global capital.

The Africa Collective Hub programme, held alongside the WEF, will spotlight the continent’s key economic and investment priorities.

A key highlight to be promoted in Davos is the WEF’s decision to revive its Africa Summit next year. After a seven-year hiatus resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the summit is scheduled for April 2027 and will take place in either Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Despite criticisms, the WEF is more than just a talk shop – it offers attendees valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration.

• Danny Meyer is reachable at danny@smecompete.com.

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