The CEO’s Guide to the Global South
The Global South is emerging as a multialigned, fast-growing third front in the global order, and CEOs who keep treating it as peripheral will cede growth to rivals that build country-specific, localized and talent-led positions there.
Summary
BCG argues that as Western-led frameworks fracture, the 130-plus Global South nations, home to 62% of the world's population and about 18% of GDP, are projected to grow 4.2% a year through 2029 against 1.9% for advanced economies, with trade reaching $14 trillion by 2033. Though not a bloc, they are multialigned, pragmatic and vocal through G77, BRICS+ and the G20. CEOs should adopt country-specific entry strategies, localize offerings, decentralize operating models and R&D, and build homegrown talent pipelines.
Editor's opinion
As Western-led frameworks fracture, the Global South is becoming a growth and influence center that CEOs can no longer treat as peripheral to their global strategy.
Key concepts
Global South as third front · Multialignment · Country-specific entry strategy · Localization · Decentralized operating model