Verraki Partners, a technology advisory firm, has called on African businesses to go beyond aspirational goals in their pursuit of Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging them to embrace a more structured, readiness-oriented approach to achieve long-term success.

This advisory was made during the unveiling of the firm’s AI Readiness Framework for African Businesses, a comprehensive report evaluating how well-prepared organisations across the continent are to implement and benefit from AI technologies.

According to the report, a global survey revealed that while 97 percent of companies are eager to deploy AI technologies, only 14 percent are truly prepared to harness AI effectively. Verraki noted that Africa lags behind in both readiness and adoption, amplifying the urgency for more deliberate and coordinated action.

“AI will not replace people. But people who use AI will replace people who don’t,” said Olatunde Olajide, partner, technology advisory at Verraki. “Businesses that spurn AI will fall behind those that adopt it to drive growth and efficiency. The future belongs to those who are ready to learn fast, adapt boldly, and act deliberately with AI as a co-pilot.”

The framework identifies sectors such as technology, financial services, and telecommunications as the most AI-ready industries in Nigeria. However, it also reveals that more than 55 percent of respondents cited policy and regulatory barriers as major impediments to AI progress on the continent.

Verraki emphasised that AI readiness involves more than technical capabilities alone. According to the report, achieving AI maturity demands a holistic combination of strategic planning, sound operating models, executive sponsorship, workforce literacy, strong data governance, and robust digital infrastructure.

The report warns that without these foundational elements, AI adoption could be derailed, leading to disappointing or failed outcomes.

To address these challenges, the AI Readiness Framework proposes a phased approach to AI implementation, beginning with low-risk, high-impact use cases. It also underscores the necessity of ethical governance and collaborative engagement between public and private sector actors to ensure responsible scaling of AI.

The firm cautioned that without intentional planning, investment in talent, and trustworthy data ecosystems, many African organisations risk squandering valuable resources on underperforming AI initiatives.

Furthermore, the report states that fostering AI readiness is a shared responsibility among stakeholders. It notes that “Preparing for AI is not a journey that any single actor can undertake, especially in Africa’s dynamic and rapidly evolving context. While businesses may lead the charge in deploying AI solutions, readiness demands a much broader coalition.”

According to Verraki,“The responsibility must be shared across the public sector, private enterprises, academic institutions, and international development organisations. Each of these actors holds a unique piece of the puzzle, and unless they work in sync, efforts to scale AI will remain fragmented and short-lived.”

The report also underscores the critical role of international organisations in supporting African countries through funding, capacity development, and technical assistance. However, it cautions that such support must be context-sensitive:

“Too often, development programs import models from the Global North without adapting them to Africa’s cultural, economic, or infrastructural contexts.”

Another significant insight from the report is the underutilised potential of the academic and research sector. 

According to Verraki, “African universities are home to talented youth and scholars who understand local challenges better than any imported system. Yet, there remains a gap between what academia produces and what industry demands. Research is often underfunded, theoretical, and detached from commercial or social application.”

To bridge this divide, the firm recommends targeted partnerships, joint research centres, co-developed curricula, integrated governance, and funding for student-led innovations.

It further states that: “When academia and industry speak the same language, talent flows more freely, and innovation becomes grounded in local realities.”

The report also highlights the critical role of governments in shaping the AI readiness landscape. It notes that through clear policy direction, infrastructure investment, and regulatory oversight, governments can enable widespread AI adoption.

However, it cautions that,“Without robust frameworks and public investment in essentials like broadband, electricity, physical security and data centres, many communities risk exclusion from AI’s benefits.”