WEF 2025: Africa's invisible presence at Davos

At the heart of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Promenade stands as a global stage for the world's top brands and influential companies. However, this year, a notable absence is hard to ignore as Africa's top-tier companies are missing from the 4.4 kilometer stretch. CNBC Africa's Kenneth Igbomor reports on the invisibility of Africa's presence on the Promenade at the Forum this year. As global brands compete for attention and visibility, the African representation on the Promenade seems lackluster. The absence of prominent African companies like Dangote, Naspers, Safaricom, and major banks raises concerns about the continent's visibility and participation in shaping global economic conversations. The annual World Economic Forum is renowned for discussions that shape the future of humanity, yet the lack of African presence raises questions about the continent's opportunity to engage in crucial conversations and decision-making processes that occur at Davos. The visibility of African governments and businesses is essential for fostering trade, investment, and collaboration. The absence of African giants amidst the presence of global players like Meta, Amazon, and Bank of America highlights the need for Africa to seize opportunities and cultivate a strong presence on the global economic stage. The interview highlighted the importance of African representation at Davos, emphasizing that Africa needs business, trade, and investment to thrive in the global economy. The absence of major African companies on the Promenade poses a challenge to the continent's ability to leverage its resources, talent, and innovation on a global scale. The call for African businesses and financial institutions to increase their visibility and participation at Davos reflects the urgency for the continent to actively shape its economic future. The interviewee emphasized that Africa is the future, and it is crucial for the continent to have a consolidated plan to assert its value proposition and drive the agenda for the intelligence age. Furthermore, the discussion shifted to the role of countries in the Global South in increasing their visibility on the Promenade and collaborating for the intelligence age. The interviewee stressed the importance of ensuring that Africa is part of global conversations early on, as the continent's population continues to grow. Collaboration and partnerships with countries in the Global South, particularly under the auspices of the G20, present opportunities for industrialization and innovation to thrive in Africa. Africa's presence at events like the World Economic Forum is essential for attracting investments, fostering growth, and driving sustainable development initiatives. In conclusion, Africa's absence at the Davos Promenade serves as a wake-up call for the continent to enhance its visibility, engage in critical dialogues, and seize opportunities for economic growth and transformation. As the world focuses on the intelligence age and collaborative efforts to shape the future, Africa must assert its presence and actively participate in shaping global economic agendas. The absence of African players on the Promenade underscores the need for proactive strategies to showcase the continent's potential, attract investments, and drive innovation. As Africa navigates the complexities of the global economy, enhancing its representation on platforms like Davos is critical for advancing the continent's economic interests and securing its position in the intelligence age.