African CEOs put AI first, but say skills must catch up
KPMG's 2026 Africa CEO Outlook finds 72% of bosses see AI as a top investment priority and 84% expect to hire more people over the next three years.
Lagos — 72% of African chief executives say artificial intelligence is a top investment priority, according to the 2026 KPMG Africa CEO Outlook, launched in Lagos and reported by Premium Times. KPMG surveyed 176 CEOs across the continent as part of a global survey of 1,400.
Confident about growth
- 79% are confident in their own companies' prospects, and 72% in their home economies.
- 86% reported revenue growth in their latest financial year.
- 84% expect headcount to rise over the next three years; 86% plan to retain and retrain high-potential staff.
- 65% say they can meet new sustainability reporting rules, up from 55% a year earlier.
The gap to close
Only 14% believe their organisations are keeping pace with or ahead of AI, and 48% expect returns within one to three years (71% globally). Skills are the main constraint: 59% cite workforce skills gaps and 58% AI training.
Tola Adeyemi, CEO of KPMG One Africa, said AI will reshape the workforce rather than cut jobs, and that ambition now needs disciplined execution. The report says Africa's energy, critical minerals, consumer markets and manufacturing can attract investment as supply chains shift.
Source: Premium Times, 23 October 2026.
