Davos Closes With the Global South in the Deal Room

By AI TV INFO | Global Economic Intelligence — January 23, 2026

As the World Economic Forum in Davos draws to a close, the Global South is ending the week with momentum few expected at the start of the year. Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, capital flowed, projects advanced, and confidence returned. Despite localized frictions, the dominant theme emerging from January 22–23 is clear: resilience, reform, and a new kind of multilateralism led by emerging economies.

Global markets rallied midweek after U.S. President Donald Trump’s Davos remarks eased tariff fears and signaled de-escalation on key geopolitical fronts. That shift unlocked global risk appetite — and emerging economies were the primary beneficiaries.

The IMF now pegs global growth at 3.3% in 2026, with emerging markets expanding above 4%, driven by AI adoption, infrastructure demand, and accelerating South-South trade.

🇿🇦 South Africa: The “Davos Dividend” Takes Shape

Over the past 24 hours, South Africa has emerged as one of the clearest turnaround stories of early 2026.

 Logistics Reform Breakthrough (Jan 23)

South Africa’s state logistics sector successfully completed a major debt issuance that attracted R42 billion in bids, far exceeding expectations. The strong demand is widely viewed as a vote of confidence in ongoing logistics and governance reforms, which are critical to restoring export capacity across mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Rate-Cut Momentum Builds

With inflation easing and a benign outlook confirmed by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) over the past 48 hours, markets are now pricing in a 25–50 basis point rate cut at the January 29 policy meeting — a potential catalyst for credit growth and domestic investment.

“Team South Africa” at Davos

Senior South African officials confirmed that the country’s Government of National Unity message resonated positively with global investors, particularly following South Africa’s removal from the EU risk list, which improves access to European trade and finance.

The rand strengthened to its strongest level in more than three years, reinforcing perceptions of macroeconomic stabilization.

 Southeast Asia: The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Frontier

A major regional report released on January 23 in Jakarta highlighted Southeast Asia’s emergence as a future global hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

A New Green Export Industry

ASEAN economies are now projected to produce up to 8.5 million barrels of SAF per day by 2050, positioning the region at the center of aviation’s energy transition.

🇻🇳 Vietnam Leads Regional Growth

Regional monitoring institutions now project Vietnam’s GDP growth at 7.6% in 2026, making it the fastest-growing economy in the ASEAN+3 bloc. Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia were identified as the most cost-efficient production hubs, benefiting from scale, industrial capacity, and competitive energy costs.

This signals a structural shift: climate transition as a growth engine, not a constraint.

Global Capital Flows: Green & Impact Financing Accelerates (Jan 22–23)

As Davos concluded, multiple institutional investment vehicles reached funding milestones aimed directly at the Global South:

• Hundreds of millions of dollars were mobilized for emerging-market credit

• Significant capital was secured for renewable energy transitions across Asia

• Targeted financing advanced West African agribusiness, focusing on food security and rural incomes

These flows emphasize long-term, project-linked investment, rather than short-term speculation.

Snapshot: Positive Markers (Jan 22–23, 2026)

Regional Outlook: Growth With Depth

Africa

Africa is projected to grow 4.0–4.6% in 2026, hosting more high-growth economies than any other region. Tourism surged 8% in 2025 to 81 million arrivals, leading the global recovery. Several countries are targeting 7–10%+ growth, driven by reforms, infrastructure investment, and energy production. Nigeria’s reform momentum lifted its 2026 forecast to 4.4%, strengthening Sub-Saharan Africa’s outlook.

Latin America & the Caribbean

The region is projected at 2.1–2.3% growth, yet financial markets are outperforming globally. Since October 2025:

• Chile has risen over 36%

• Argentina more than 27%

The EU–Mercosur trade agreement is expected to boost exports and add €9.4 billion to GDP by 2040, while commodities, digitalization, and fiscal reforms support medium-term resilience.

Developing Asia

Asia remains the growth engine:

• South Asia: 5.6–6.2%

• India: 6.6%, with credit growth rebounding to 15%

• China: Maintained 5% growth in 2025, supported by domestic demand and a $1.2 trillion trade surplus

Regional Frictions to Watch

On January 22, Colombia suspended electricity exports to Ecuador amid a tariff dispute. Analysts suggest the move may accelerate Ecuador’s domestic renewable investments, underscoring how energy security is shaping policy across emerging markets.

🧠 AI TV INFO‘s Perspective

What closed in Davos this week was not just a summit — it was a recalibration of global growth leadership.

The Global South is no longer waiting for opportunity:

• It is building its own trade corridors

• Scaling green and digital industries

• Attracting institutional capital

• And shaping a new multilateralism rooted in South-South cooperation

From South Africa’s logistics turnaround to Vietnam’s growth surge and Africa’s tourism and energy revival, the final days of Davos 2026 marked a decisive shift.

📺 Coming Next on AI TV INFO
Inside the Davos deal rooms: healthcare innovation, critical minerals, and AI infrastructure projects now moving from strategy to execution.

The Global South didn’t just attend Davos — it reshaped the conversation.