During the KPMG Africa CEO Outlook presentation, Associate Director Abena Ohenewaa Appiah warned that skills gaps are a major obstacle to AI adoption across West Africa. She cited survey data showing that 59 % of CEOs identified significant workforce skill shortages, while 58 % viewed the rapid pace of AI development as a critical challenge.
Appiah noted that 64 % of respondents reported internal skills gaps, underscoring the need for companies to assess current capabilities and determine the expertise required to support AI initiatives. She argued that basic AI training is insufficient; organisations must design targeted programmes that align with specific job functions.
According to the survey, 45 % of CEOs already employ AI specialists, yet many firms risk losing the benefits of their investments if they fail to retain these experts and transfer knowledge across teams. Appiah cautioned that poorly managed AI integration could fuel job‑loss fears and erode employee confidence.
The executive explained how AI is reshaping roles, automating routine tasks such as data entry and freeing staff to focus on analytical and judgement‑based work. She highlighted the need for job redesign and clearer performance metrics to reflect the new relationship between humans and technology.
Survey findings also suggest workforce planning will become more complex: 84 % of CEOs expect workforce growth over the next three years, while 56 % anticipate reductions in certain areas. At the same time, 86 % plan to retain and train existing staff, signalling a shift toward specialised skills in cybersecurity, data analysis and other AI‑related fields.
Appiah stressed that leadership must drive AI adoption, deciding which tasks can be automated, where AI can support employees, and which activities still require human judgement. She urged companies to build trust, communicate changes clearly, and assess the outcomes of AI investments to ensure productivity gains.
With interest in AI rising, KPMG warns that persistent gaps in skills development, workforce planning and execution will continue to limit organisations’ ability to unlock the technology’s full value.
