DAVOS 2026: Global Elite Acknowledge “New World Disorder”

Introduction

Every year, the global elite meet in a small town in Switzerland to discuss the global economy, geopolitics, and emerging trends that will shape prosperity, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Last year, the conversation was dominated by AI, but this year’s discussion was largely shaped by U.S. policy. While the world hyperventilates about U.S. tariffs on all economies, others are adapting and reaffirming their commitment to cooperation, free trade, and multilateralism. Marc Carney, Canada’s president and former central banker, took a measured approach, outlining that alliances are changing and Canada is adapting. From trade deals with China to having the lowest tax rate across the OECD on investment, his message was all about Canada being the best place to do business.

Macron, President of France, was more clear-eyed than his eyeglasses suggest (he has an eye infection, for which we are sorry). Rather than present himself as Europe’s solution to its problems, he outlined a pathway for Europe to become innovative and become a true global power anchored in smart investments, reinforced security, and openness to trade and investment. One thing was clear: he kept the peace by reminding the U.S. that Europe would respond to emerging threats if it needed to, but cautioned against U.S. unilateralism.

Friedrich Merz was perhaps clearer that Europe will protect its interests, probably slighted by the fact that Europe’s concessions to the U.S. earlier in 2025 were beginning to be taken for granted. He outlined that Europe will respond as it needs to in order to protect its territorial sovereignty. This is noble and expected, and the decision to station NATO troops in Greenland is evidence that Europe can act swiftly when prompted. Nevertheless, Europe must protect its interests and innovate in a manner that does not compromise its social safety net. There was much talk of defence, but that should not come at the expense of its social model, which is humane. Another decade should not go by without a banking union, efficient defense spending, and targeted incentives to translate innovation into marketable solutions.

Africa’s Time for Open Trade is Now

The chief AfCFTA advocate and implementor – H.E. Wamkele Mene – gave an update on how the AfCFTA is being implemented across Africa. There was continued focus on digital trade, and his upbeat tone about intra-African trade was likely a relief for attendees who wondered how Africa would fare in the new world order. With over 2000 certificates of origin (Coo) issued, Africa is trading with itself and adapting to the effects of lower levels of U.S. Aid and higher tariffs from the Trump administration. Our friends in Davos are updated but not relieved about the level of Africa’s development and intra-African trade. However, the AfCFTA will create jobs and ensure that Africa’s intra-regional trade rises from current levels of 16%, while Europe, Asia, and North America sit comfortably at 45-60%.

Of course, we should not gloss over the monumental work that remains to be done. From sensitizing stakeholders, accelerating implementation by ratifying protocols, to creating regulatory sandboxes and making efforts to harmonize trade rules across borders, there is no shortage of initiatives to ensure the AfCFTA is a success. It shouldn’t take ten years to harmonize rules around data, digital trade, and intellectual property – unless political will is truly lacking.

The AfCFTA is being implemented, but at a slow pace. When I speak to policymakers and operational leads across the continent, there is very little new trade taking place under the preferential terms of the AfCFTA. So, there should be greater efforts to sensitise civil society about the benefits, but more importantly, about the process of exporting and importing under the AfCFTA. Policymakers should realize that the AfCFTA is not incompatible with import substitution strategies that will develop as a result of natural competitive advantage, rather than policies that pick winners. It is greater to state that Africa is implementing, but developing countries that wish to promote free trade can support the development of financial tools like export guarantees.

Africans are Asking for Subscriptions to Keep Forests

African delegations have smelled the coffee. Climate finance is not charity, and governments with huge forests and carbon sinks are prepared to cash in on it. While Africans are most affected by the worst effects of climate change, there has been a reticence by developed countries to fulfill climate pledges. So, Africans are on the offensive, asking for fund sin exchange for preserving the forest to give a boost to the diplomacy that is lacking. At a time when countries are reducing foreign aid, the climate is an urgency that requires global cooperation, and they’re making sure to remind the world of their need to support African economies’ transition. However, this is not just about aid, as there are two targets in the Paris Climate Agreement. A conditional target that is funded by developed countries who polluted and continue to pollute more than developing countries.

While this is justified, we can imagine some partner countries scoffing at corruption and the absence of adequate regulatory frameworks to support greater climate finance. Even so, this is justified, and there should be greater efforts to support African countries’ transition towards low-emission economies, or at the very least, develop without polluting more.

What Good Actually Comes of Davos

For the first time in many years, the global elite are not concerned about poverty, access to electricity, or education. Davos was frankly more private-sector oriented, with geopolitics occupying most of the airwaves. For Africans, now is the time to be more intentional about development, as business as usual will not support inclusive economic development, not to mention the Sustainable Development Goals. Europe is busy with an intransigent partner, but the renewed focus on win-win partnerships should not eclipse more meaningful cooperation that supports capacity building and provides a framework for shared and mutually beneficial cooperation. While others decried the rules-based order, Africans did not, and rightly so. After all, what inclusion and they expect from Donald Trump when they did not open up the U.N. Security Council to whole continents. The rules-based order worked for trade (mostly) by lowering prices and improving the standards of living of millions of citizens across the world.

Conclusion

Davos is a forum for dialogue, and it should stay so. One thing was clear: the world has fundamentally changed and was never going back to what it was. However, it is time for the coalition of the willing to cooperate and for the world to pursue a new form of multilateralism based on equality and shared development. Developing countries must continue to demand a seat at the table, but focus more on making their citizens’ lives better. If the U.S. must solve a war between Rwanda and Congo, then it is difficult for Pan-Africanism and the African Union to hold sway anywhere. Meanwhile, open trade must continue to be the order of the day, even for those countries that develop with a mix of incentives and/or industrial policies.

Henri Kouam

Executive Director