Sustainable economies are built on labour, capital, and innovation. However, more than these things, international cooperation is crucial to economic growth.  Strategies must be developed to ensure consistent global trade growth with ‘increased global disorders’ reaching an all-time high in decades. 

This is what the World Economic Forum- an independent international organisation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland- has done since 1971. Although it started as a means of dialogue between European business leaders, it has become a crucial part of the global trading ecosystem. 

Today, it has become a global convener, bringing together leaders from government, businesses, civil society, academia, and lots more to shape international affairs. 

Image Source: World Economic Forum

The week-long activity in Davos, Switzerland, isn’t the only highlight of this event. The WEF also released different reports to provide holistic context on the current state of human affairs. The 2025 event is a critical opportunity to re-evaluate global trade architecture while looking for new ways for global cooperation amidst the changing geopolitical landscape.

In the lead-up to this year’s annual meeting, the forum published several reports – including the Global Cooperation Barometer 2025 and the Future of Jobs 2025 report. 

This article outlines the talking points from the event and provides further context on the state of global trade and how it affects Africa. 

Let’s get right into it.

LEARN WITH MATTA: The Global Cooperation Barometer 2025 is published by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company. Analysts use 41 indicators for this report to measure global cooperation levels across five pillars. As with last year’s inaugural edition, the aim is to offer leaders a tool to understand the contours of cooperation better broadly and along trade and capital flows, innovation and technology, climate and natural capital, and health and wellness.

EVALUATING GLOBAL COOPERATION

There is a need for collective efforts towards bettering humanity and the human experience. These efforts are needed globally, hence the need for global cooperation.

However, according to the World Economic Forum, ‘Global cooperation levels have flatlined’. This has far-reaching implications and can, in fact, reshape the world as we know it.  

Amid these things, nations must understand the regional alliances being formed and their impact on various sectors of the global economy. 

LEARN WITH MATTA:
Digital trust describes the confidence that individuals and businesses have in digital technologies, services, and the organisations that provide them. It’s about feeling secure and assured that your online interactions are protected and that your interests are upheld.

IMPROVING DIGITAL TRUST

Despite the many remarkable feats of the tech industry- as visible in Africa’s influx of (fin)tech startups and the global advancements in AI, automation, biotechnology and the like- there are concerns about digital trust.

As digital innovations continue to explore even further into our lives, there is a need to ensure digital trust. This is one of the pressing issues highlighted in the Global Cooperation Barometer, one of the reports released by the WEF in the buildup to this year’s event. 

This is a critical aspect that Africans need to pay attention to as we explore developing digital solutions for traditional problems. Since these digital options are a replica of non-digital processes, Africans must build digital solutions that individuals and businesses can rely on to protect their interests.

The World Economic Forum created a Digital Trust Roadmap to ensure continued trust in digital solutions. In Africa, it is essential that aside from focusing on building more tech solutions, we develop and uphold frameworks that ensure continued digital trust.

A great example of this is what Matta is doing as Africa’s premier ChemTech solution. Since 2022, we have gradually transformed Africa’s Chemicals, Raw Materials, Ingredients, and Commodities (CRIC) ecosystem.
Matta’s solution is a critical part of improving digital trust in Africa because it is focused on digitising processes that have been traditional for decades due to the volume of transactions.      

Lastly, it is not just about developing new technologies. These technologies must be spread to those who need them based on their current realities, and this can only happen when people trust digital solutions.  

MATTA: YOUR TRUSTED ALLY IN AN EVOLVING WORLD

Amidst growing concerns at the World Economic Forum about how global cooperation has flatlined due to global instability, there is a unique opportunity for global collaboration amongst governments, businesses, and civil societies. 

That is what the World Economic Forum is all about.    

At Matta, we understand the importance of participating in these crucial conversations and initiatives to improve global trade, especially concerning Africa. 

This is why we built Africa’s first Chemtech solution– to connect Africa to the world and to connect the world to Africa.

Rounding up: Africa needs “planned opportunism”. 

In recent decades, free trade has broadly defined the global economy. However, with the geopolitical tensions, there is a threat of economic fragmentation, which, in turn, would threaten global growth.   

In a 2024 report, the WEF reported rising global economic fragmentation and a surge in protectionism worldwide. This means increasing tariffs, which then lead to higher costs. When it comes to international trade, there is a need for openness and the free flow of data, capital, goods, and services. 

The global economy thrives when no nation is left behind, and every country can leverage its uniqueness to add value. To ensure this happens, adequate cross-border data flows and other forms of cooperation amongst nations must be sufficient.

As cliche as it may sound, there is an increasing need to create a business environment where problems become opportunities for innovation in Africa. With world powers shifting and increased demand for certain raw materials, there’s an opportunity for Africa to improve its share in the global economy. 

Beyond the raw materials, Africa needs to increase processing power to add significant value to its value chain. 

At Matta, we look forward to continually empowering stakeholders within Africa’s industrial ecosystem with the needed solutions to thrive. 

Thank you for reading this article.