Durban, South Africa – World Trade Centre Durban has won the bid to host the 2028 World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Global Business Forum, marking a landmark achievement for Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa’s international trade and investment ambitions.
The successful bid positions Durban as the host city for one of the WTCA network’s flagship global gatherings, bringing together World Trade Centers, business leaders, investors, trade promotion organisations, policymakers and international delegations from across the world.
As South Africa’s first and only World Trade Centre, WTC Durban’s appointment as host of the 2028 Global Business Forum is a significant endorsement of the city’s growing role as a gateway for trade, investment and business connectivity between Africa and global markets.
“This is a proud moment for WTC Durban and for the city,” said Lindiwe Rakharebe, Chief Executive Officer of the Durban International Convention Centre. “Hosting the 2028 WTCA Global Business Forum will give Durban an extraordinary platform to showcase its trade, investment, tourism, logistics and business strengths to a global audience.”
The WTCA Global Business Forum is expected to create opportunities for international business networking, market access engagement, investment promotion, trade facilitation and destination profiling. For Durban, the event will provide a powerful platform to highlight the city’s strategic port location, world-class meetings and events infrastructure, sector strengths and role as a commercial gateway into the African continent.
The bid win also supports WTC Durban’s broader mandate to connect local and regional businesses to global opportunities through the WTCA network, which includes more than 300 World Trade Center locations worldwide.
“Durban has long been recognised as one of South Africa’s most important trade and logistics hubs,” added Rakharebe. “The 2028 Global Business Forum will allow us to bring the world to Durban while opening new conversations for African businesses seeking international growth.”
WTC Durban will work with its partners and stakeholders over the coming months to prepare for the event and develop a programme that reflects Durban’s value as a destination for trade, investment, tourism and business collaboration.
Further details regarding the 2028 WTCA Global Business Forum programme, dates, partnerships and participation opportunities will be announced in due course.
About the World Trade Center Durban
World Trade Center Durban is South Africa’s first and only World Trade Centre and a member of the World Trade Centers Association. Based within the Durban ICC precinct, WTC Durban is positioned as a globally connected platform for trade, investment, business networking and international market access.