South Africa’s delegation to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) yearly meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 15 to 19, led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, has said it used the platform to meaningfully engage investors, civil society, businesses and governments, driving home the message that the country remains a top destination for growth and investment.

The delegation was comprised of Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Mondli Gungubele and Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla. Other members of the delegation comprised representatives of Brand South Africa, as well as business executives, entrepreneurs and civil society leaders.

In a statement issued on January 22, National Treasury said the overall WEF 2024 theme ‘Rebuilding Trust’ was aligned with what it perceived as South Africa’s ongoing role as a regional and global leader in the international community.

Godongwana said South Africa’s participation in such global forums reinforced their belief in the value of multilateralism and the spirit of cooperation as a critical part of an overall strategy to lift economic growth. He added that countries stood to benefit from the common pursuit of a fairer, more inclusive, and representative global system.

The South African delegation tackled questions on the progress the country is making in economic reforms, particularly in areas of energy, transport and logistics, and fighting crime.

“We took the opportunity . . . to remind our partners around the world that South Africa has made tremendous progress in the past 30 years since we achieved democracy [although] we face a number of obstacles to achieving policy that balances fiscal sustainability, growth-accelerating reforms, and targeted spending on social services and infrastructure,” Godongwana said.

He said the event offered South Africa’s policymakers a “genuine and rare opportunity” to speak directly with a cross spectrum of stakeholders in global affairs, exchanging views on how to weather the rise in geopolitical and economic tensions that are shaping the world.

Climate, technology, trade and multilateral cooperation were high on the agenda, as was South Africa’s upcoming presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) in 2025.

In addition to its participation in the G20, the country is playing a key part in the expansion of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) group, as well as the deepening of intercontinental economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Speaking on a panel about the Brics expansion, which was inked in August 2023 at a summit in Johannesburg, Godongwana stressed the importance the bloc was playing in reforming international decision-making bodies to better reflect contemporary power and economic realities.

“Although individual economic circumstances among Brics+ will vary, there will be common interests that will allow the bloc to forge consensus on the urgency of sustainable economic development. The expansion will help the Brics group to be the voice of the Global South,” Godongwana said.