Davos 2026: Aleo calls on global leaders to rethink investment in Africa

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, the iSwiss Pay CEO urges a shift toward long-term growth strategies.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Christopher Aleo delivered a pointed message to the world’s political and economic leaders: global growth will not be revived by repeating the same policies, nor by concentrating capital in already saturated markets. According to the CEO of iSwiss Pay, Africa must move from the margins to the centre of global investment strategies.

Aleo’s remarks came at a time when uncertainty continues to weigh on the world economy, from geopolitical tensions to slowing growth in mature markets. In this context, he questioned the effectiveness of existing economic approaches. “We keep doing the same things while expecting different results,” he said. “If we want meaningful and lasting growth, policies must change fundamentally.” His statement resonated with an audience increasingly aware that traditional economic engines are losing momentum.

At the core of Aleo’s argument was the idea that Africa represents one of the last major structural growth opportunities of the 21st century. With a rapidly expanding and youthful population, growing domestic markets and vast unmet demand for infrastructure, the continent offers long-term potential that global capital has yet to fully embrace. “Africa is not a peripheral market,” Aleo stressed, “it is one of the future centres of the global economy.”

Financial innovation, he argued, will be critical in unlocking this potential. Modern banking systems and fintech platforms can lower barriers to capital, improve transparency and integrate African businesses into international financial networks. For Aleo, fintech is not simply about faster payments, but about building financial infrastructure that supports entrepreneurship, investment and economic resilience.

Energy was another central theme of his address. Aleo highlighted that without reliable and sustainable energy, industrialisation and job creation remain out of reach. Renewable energy, in particular, offers Africa a unique opportunity to leapfrog older, carbon-intensive development models. “Investing in solar, wind and energy infrastructure in Africa is not philanthropy,” he said. “It is rational investment that creates economic returns, jobs and long-term stability.”

Aleo also turned his attention to Europe, warning that the continent risks losing influence if it confines its leadership to abstract debates rather than concrete economic action. Europe, he noted, faces structural challenges such as ageing populations and high debt levels, yet still possesses unparalleled cultural capital, technological expertise and financial resources. According to Aleo, a renewed partnership with Africa could help reinvigorate Europe’s global role while supporting African development.

“Europe is old, Africa is young,” he observed. “Europe has capital and experience; Africa has energy, ambition and growth.” Many African nations, he added, are ready to engage in partnerships based on mutual benefit rather than dependency, offering opportunities to combine strengths and generate momentum on both sides.

Observers at Davos noted that Aleo’s intervention stood out for its directness and long-term perspective. Rather than focusing on aid or short-term capital flows, he called for patient capital, bankable projects and strategies measured in decades, not quarters.

As discussions at Davos continue to shape the global economic agenda, Aleo’s message was clear: Africa’s development is not a regional issue, but a global imperative. For governments, investors and financial institutions, the real question is no longer whether Africa deserves greater investment, but how quickly the world is willing to adjust its priorities to make that investment a reality.