The study, based on a global sample of 1,217 executives, including 85 heads of African structures generating at least $1 billion in revenue, reveals that local companies prioritize resilience and stabilization of existing operations after a series of inflationary shocks and currency fluctuations.

The cautious allocation of resources does not hinder the experimentation phase, although the transition to global scale remains embryonic. The survey of management practices indicates that 82% of African companies are testing pilot projects, compared to 88% in leading countries. The immediate financial impact is already visible in the operating accounts: 23% of CEOs report an increase in their market share, while 25% report a reduction in operating costs. Productivity gains are currently concentrated in the optimization of support functions (accounting management, legal affairs, human resources). However, the margin for progress is significant, as only 32% of the continent's managers consider the current budget effort to be in line with long-term growth objectives, compared to 55% in Western and Asian economies.

The future profitability of technological investments depends on the ability of companies to break down traditional industry sectors. Africa shows a performance gap in terms of industrial convergence, with a sectoral score of 5.8 out of 10, compared to 7.1 points for countries with high technological maturity. The blurring of industrial boundaries between banking, telecommunications, and distribution is, however, the main lever for making financial integration or agricultural logistics infrastructure profitable. The real driver of transformation could reside in the adherence of human capital: a related survey dated December 2025 reveals that 64% of African employees already use AI in their daily tasks, surpassing the global average of 54%.


BCN

Tags: innovation intelligence artificielle afrique entreprise technologie investissement croissance productivité transformation