Verraki Partners (Member of Andersen Consulting), Technology Advisory, Partner, Olatunde Olajide
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of its important enablers for the future. When rejected as merely a high-tech terminology, AI has become a business imperative. The most competitive organizations in the world today are no longer product-driven or service-driven, but intelligence-driven. However, across Africa, AI adoption remains behind schedule, and is often perceived as a luxury for the multinational giant, rather than a need for local businesses. That perception is no longer valid and is increasingly restrictive.
AI is the foundation of all sectors such as retail, finance, healthcare, agriculture, logistics and even governance. In the African context, the relevance is particularly urgent. It is to accelerate economic inclusion, reduce inefficiencies, and bridge long-standing infrastructure gaps. Due to limited resources, AI offers real opportunities for African companies to leap their developmental stages rather than follow their traditional trajectories.
At its heart, AI refers to a machine that mimics human intelligence, recognizes patterns, draws conclusions, and automates complex tasks. From automated meeting transcripts to fraud detection, customer service bots and inventory optimization, we'll bolster everything.
In a typical African company, the AI entry point is surprisingly close to home. AI tools are:
- We handle customer service 24/7 without adding personnel.
- Translate documents and translate audio memos across languages.
- Predict inventory movements based on past sales patterns.
- Take meeting notes seamlessly, with or without physical attendance.
- Propose traffic routes, curate news for notifications, and recommend movies/music.
These tools are not future innovations. They are currently available. The challenge is not whether AI can work for companies in Africa. It's whether African companies are ready to work with AI.
To expand adoption, we must face misconceptions that cloud AI.
- “AI eliminates work.”
It is true that AI automates certain tasks such as meeting notes that secretaries have previously done, but it also creates new roles and opportunities. AI certainly creates new jobs and changes existing jobs, but does not rule out human relevance. It imposes outdated skills in stages, like the shift from typewriters to computers. Those who choose to reskill and adapt remain relevant, while those who resist change can be left behind.
- “Only large companies can afford to buy AI.”
It's wrong. In reality, every business, big or small, generates data and relies on decision-making. AI is already used to facilitate simple tasks that have been done manually in the past, such as invoices, screening transactions, and balance checks. Companies that overlook AI can fall behind those that employ it to drive growth and efficiency. Additionally, these AI tools are more accessible, making small businesses almost never accessible.
- “My business doesn't use data.”
All businesses use data such as customer complaints, stock levels, channel profitability, staff productivity, and more. The issue is not about data availability. It's whether you're using it effectively.
- “Aye always does that right.”
AI works similarly to FED data. Bad data equals bad output. Therefore, human surveillance remains important, especially in local markets where nuances, cultures and contexts cannot be constantly codified.
An effective AI journey begins with recognition and alignment, not code. Before deploying tools or platforms, organizations need to invest in building AI literacy across all levels, from leadership to frontline teams. Just as cybersecurity protocols or regulatory compliance is essential to business culture, understanding AI must be embedded in your daily operations.
Once employees understand the value and limitations of AI, they are more likely to accept it as a productivity enabler, not a threat to job safety.
To build this foundation, business leaders must be intentional.
- It provides practical education on what AI can and cannot do.
- We are actively working on concerns about automation and unemployment.
- Share related case studies showing successful applications.
- Create a safe space for experimenting with entry-level low-risk AI tools.
In parallel, AI governance needs to be clearly defined. Companies need robust policies that guide AI use, data quality, ethical considerations, and accountability.
Equally important is a realistic assessment of data preparation. Is organizational data easily accessible, well organized, unified and usable across teams and departments?
Without quality data, even the most sophisticated AI solutions can't produce meaningful results. AI thrives with clean data, data governance, and data integrity.
Without these, digital transformation efforts will stall before they begin.
AI systems rely on structured, high quality data to work effectively. However, across Africa, data often remain stored, fragmented, messy or unrecovered.
To address these concerns about data quality and data preparation, businesses must:
- Implement data governance framework: clarifies rules regarding how data is collected, cleaned, stored, and used.
- Data champions will be appointed within each category.
- Perform a data quality audit to track progress.
- Use cloud-based tools to concentrate access and avoid capital-heavy infrastructure investments.
One of the quickest paths to failing to adopt AI is getting there too quickly. For African companies, success lies in taking a measured, step-by-step approach. This balances ambition with practicality.
- Start with simple, impactful use cases such as automated customer email and invoice classification.
- Measures measurements with improved returns, time savings, error reductions, or engagement.
- Refine, repeat and expand. Gradually build complexity and capabilities.
This approach reduces risk, builds internal trust, and creates a feedback loop for continuous learning.
Recent Verraki survey results AI Preparation Framework for African Business It further strengthens the urgency of these conversations. The report states that 87% of African business leaders believe their organization is ready to adopt AI, but only 66% expect to be ready to mature AI by 2027. This highlights the huge gap between ambition and actual preparation.
Furthermore, sectors such as technology, financial services and telecommunications are recognized as leading the AI preparations in Nigeria. However, the challenge continues, with over 55% of leaders citing regulatory and policy inadequacies as barriers to AI adoption.
To truly harness the possibilities of AI transformation, the report highlights that preparation must go beyond technology. A holistic approach is required, including strategic intent, robust data governance, executive sponsorship, and a strong digital foundation. As the report clarifies, “AI preparation is not just about interest in new technologies, it is a structured assessment of organizational preparation across multiple dimensions.”
African businesses need to tackle infrastructure gaps, data challenges and talent shortages head on. This is not just about getting the latest tools. It is to build the basic capabilities that enable sustainable and scalable AI integration.
Like other technological changes, the long-term success of AI depends on people because it doesn't depend on software or platforms. No matter how sophisticated the tool is, it is human talent that determines whether AI will provide real business value or a different, unutilized trend.
For African organizations, building an AI-enabled workforce must be a deliberate strategy. This means:
- We will partner with the Training Academy to expand access to technical knowledge.
- Incentivizes high internal skills through customized authentication pathways.
- Hire young professionals who are swayed by data science and related concepts.
- Embed AI literacy into onboarding, leadership development, and change management initiatives.
- Redesign your business's operational model to enable new ways to work with different organizational units enabled by AI tools
This human-centered approach needs to expand beyond individual companies. Governments, educational institutions and the private sector need to tailor their shared vision of AI capacity development. The launch of the federal government of the AI Academy welcomes plans to train more than 100,000 Nigerians with basic AI skills, but it is a welcome start. However, lasting impacts only come across grassroots implementation, 774 local governments, and institutions in schools, technical colleges, small and medium-sized enterprises and public sector institutions.
As part of Andersen Global, in addition to Andersen Tax, Andersen Legal, Andersen Aluation, and Andersen Consulting, Verraki leverages the expertise of over 20,000 professionals in more than 500 locations around the world, leveraging global standards while keeping African businesses relevant locally.
This gives to our clients:
- Fastest AI implementation using proven frameworks.
- Access to cutting-edge tools and platforms.
- Cross-sector insights about what works globally.
- Confidence to expand AI from proof of concept to corporate value.
One thing we must not forget is that AI is not just about technology, but about preparation. You are ready to think differently, act intentionally, and act strategically.
The African companies that will win over the next decade are not necessarily the largest or oldest. They become people who are not threats, as co-pilots who can quickly learn AI, adapt quickly, and act boldly.
The future is not waiting. The question is, are we ready to guide it?
Download and read Verraki's comprehensive AI Readiness Framework report to explore these insights in greater detail and learn actionable strategies for building your AI-Ready business. This resource provides actionable guidance, sector-specific data, and a tailored roadmap for African organizations ready to lead the future with AI. Visit www.verraki.africa to access the full report.
Pull coat for layout design:
“AI is not going to replace people, but those who use AI will replace people who don't.” “Companies that expand AI will fall behind those who adopt AI to promote growth and efficiency.”
