PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey: Africa perspective
Navigating disruption through reinvention.
By PwC
It’s often said that successful leaders need both a microscope and a telescope to help them identify near-term threats while spotting long-term opportunities. This tension across time horizons is a recurring theme in PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey: Africa perspective.
Drawing on insights from more than 4,400 CEOs globally, including over 150 across Africa, the survey reveals that CEOs are being asked to manage risks while positioning their organisations for future opportunities.
Some key findings from the Africa report include:
Innovation: 55% of CEOs in Africa say innovation is critical to their overall business strategy – yet only 13% are willing to tolerate high risk in innovation projects.
Investments: 59% indicated little to no change in investment, with 8% willing to increase large investments despite geopolitical uncertainty.
Time allocation: 51% of CEOs stated that they spend their time on activities with horizons of less than one year, while 15% direct their time toward planning five years out.
Diversification: Looking at the past five years, 34% of CEOs have been competing in new sectors, with 24% of their revenue now derived from these newer ventures. CEOs can leverage off this proven capability to achieve long term reinvention goals.
AI Adoption: Africa’s CEOs are lagging their global peers in actual AI deployment across all business functions, signalling a pace of digital transformation that threatens to widen competitive gaps rather than close them.
The survey findings show that tomorrow’s stability depends on today’s innovation. Leaders who embrace scenario planning and adaptability intelligence will be better equipped to navigate uncertainty, make bold decisions, and position their organisations for long-term success.
We invite you to explore the full survey to gain insights into how Africa’s CEOs are preparing for the future and what this means for your organisation.
Contact us
Dion Shango
Territory Senior Partner,
PwC South Africa
Michal Kotze
Africa Clients and Markets Leader,
PwC South Africa