South Africa to Host WEF Special Meetings
Cape Town will stage the World Economic Forum's Special Meetings from 27 to 31 March 2028, following a revised schedule.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Economic Policy
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South Africa will host the World Economic Forum Special Meetings in Cape Town between 27 and 31 March 2028. National Treasury announced the hosting decision in a statement on Monday, after the meeting's dates were revised from the originally announced 2027 timeframe.
Why it matters
The meetings extend the World Economic Forum's global engagement beyond its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, and bring international economic leaders to South Africa. The revised dates reflect adjustments to the WEF's international meeting calendar.
The meetings are scheduled for 27 to 31 March 2028 in Cape Town, a five-day window that replaces the earlier 2027 timeframe. Attendance figures, agenda details and expected economic outcomes have not yet been released.
The players
World Economic Forum
The Geneva-based international organisation known for its annual meeting in Davos, which convenes business, political and civil society leaders to address global economic and social issues.
National Treasury
South Africa's central government department responsible for economic policy, budgeting and financial management, which announced the hosting arrangement.
The details
National Treasury confirmed the hosting decision in a statement on Monday. The Special Meeting forms part of the WEF's effort to broaden its global engagement, with discussions expected to examine forces reshaping the global economy and explore new growth and investment opportunities.
Timeline
2027 - Meetings were originally announced for this year.
27-31 March 2028 - WEF Special Meetings scheduled in Cape Town.
Economic Policy
The Cape Town meetings build on the WEF's established Davos Annual Meeting by taking its forum to a new host country, a pattern that positions South Africa within the organisation's international calendar. The revised 2028 dates show the WEF adjusting its schedule to accommodate global meeting commitments.
For South Africans, the meetings may bring international visitors and business activity to Cape Town in late March 2028, though the extraction does not detail specific local arrangements. Residents and businesses should watch for further official announcements on logistics and access.
The takeaway
South Africa's selection as a WEF Special Meetings host signals its growing role in shaping international economic dialogue beyond traditional European forums. Readers tracking national economic policy should follow official Treasury updates as the 2028 dates approach.
Further reading
Explore more on Economic Policy in South Africa and how the country positions itself in global economic forums.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SAnews.
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