Marshal Luusa, technology and innovation lead for KPMG One Africa, said the ability to build the skills and operating models required to scale AI responsibly will be the primary differentiator for the continent.
Marshal Luusa, technology and innovation lead for KPMG One Africa, said the ability to build the skills and operating models required to scale AI responsibly will be the primary differentiator for the continent.

Overview:

While 68 percent of firms target AI maturity by 2026, a KPMG study finds that only 24 percent of organizations have reached that level today amid persistent talent shortages.

KAMPALA, Uganda — A new report from KPMG reveals that 68 percent of organizations worldwide are aiming to reach the highest level of artificial intelligence maturity by the end of 2026.

The Global Tech Report 2026, released Jan. 27, indicates a rapid shift from experimental pilots to the integration of AI into core business workflows. However, the research highlights a significant gap between ambition and current reality, noting that only 24 percent of surveyed firms have reached that maturity level today.

The study, which surveyed 2,500 executives across 27 countries, found that 88 percent of organizations are now investing in agentic AI—autonomous systems designed to handle complex decision-making. While 74 percent of respondents say their AI use cases are delivering value, only 24 percent are achieving a return on investment across multiple areas of their business.

Guy Holland, global leader for the KPMG Center of Excellence, said the industry is moving away from a period of scattered bets. He noted that high-performing organizations that have moved beyond pilot programs are reporting an average ROI of 4.5 times their investment, compared to an industry average of two times.

In Africa, experts suggest the challenge lies in infrastructure and human capital. Marshal Luusa, technology and innovation lead for KPMG One Africa, said the ability to build the skills and operating models required to scale AI responsibly will be the primary differentiator for the continent.

The report also identified significant hurdles to these goals. Approximately 53 percent of organizations say they still lack the talent needed to bring their digital transformation plans to life. Despite the surge in automation, high-performing companies plan to retain at least half of their permanent human workforce through 2027, emphasizing the continued importance of human-AI collaboration.

To bridge the talent and technology gap, 90 percent of executives said they plan to grow their partnerships and tech ecosystems over the next year. Additionally, 78 percent of organizations agreed they must take more risks on emerging technologies, such as quantum computing, to stay relevant in the coming years.