64% of African workers used AI last year – Africa outpaces global average

64% of African workers used AI last year — Africa outpaces global average

In a striking indicator of Africa’s accelerating digital transformation, 64% of African workers reported using artificial intelligence (AI) at work in the past 12 months, significantly ahead of the global average of 54%. (TechCabal)

The numbers come from the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) 2025 Africa Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey 2025, which sampled 1,753 workers across five African countries: Algeria, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa — part of a global survey covering 49,843 workers in 48 countries and 28 sectors.

This data point may seem like a bold signal of radical change — and in many ways, it is. But a deeper look reveals a more nuanced picture: one of early adoption, cautious optimism, and important structural gaps that could shape whether Africa’s AI moment becomes transformative — or remains a partial feat of enthusiasm.

Behind the headline: what ‘use of AI’ actually means

While 64% reported using AI in the past year, only 17% said they used AI “agents” — more advanced AI tools — on a daily basis. Weekly use of generative-AI tools increased modestly compared to 2024, but many still report never having used an AI agent for everyday tasks like workflow automation, scheduling, or coordination.

In other words: for a large share of workers, “use of AI” may simply mean light or occasional use — perhaps basic automation, data-driven tools, simple analytics or assistance tools — rather than a deep integration of AI agents into their daily workflows.

This pattern echoes a recent global snapshot from PwC: across all industries, 54% of workers globally reported having used AI in the last 12 months. Among them, only 14% said they used generative-AI daily. (PwC)

So the African figure isn’t just a number — it points to a frontier stage: high breadth of AI adoption, but still limited depth of usage.

Workers’ optimism — and underlying caution

Among African workers who reported using AI over the past year:

• 76% believe generative AI has improved the quality of their work.
• 72% expect meaningful productivity gains over the next three years.

That’s a strong endorsement. Many workers see AI not as a threat, but as an enabler — a tool to make work easier, faster, better.

Part of this optimism may be tied to demographic factors: about 75% of African respondents are under the age of 43; 29% are Gen Z and 44% Millennials. A younger, digitally literate workforce may be more open to experimentation, more comfortable with tech, and quicker to adopt new tools.

On top of that, the survey suggests that many employers in Africa are offering better access to learning opportunities and support compared to global averages — including more manager support and upskilling.

Together, these factors help explain why Africa may be outpacing the global average in reported AI use.

Why Africa might be primed for AI adoption — and where the gaps remain

Several structural and contextual factors help explain the surge in AI adoption among African workers:

• Leapfrogging legacy systems: Many African organizations can skip legacy infrastructure, adopting cloud-based, digital-first systems, and integrating AI faster than firms in markets weighed down by older, monolithic systems. This creates a window for more rapid AI uptake.
• Youth and digital fluency: With a relatively young workforce and rising levels of digital literacy, African workers are more likely to experiment with and accept new digital tools.
• Demand for productivity gains: Given economic pressures, infrastructure gaps, and competitive markets, businesses across Africa face strong incentives to improve efficiency — and AI offers a viable lever.
• Support for learning and adaptation: The PwC survey suggests many African employers are offering upskilling, resources and manager support, enabling smoother AI adoption.

Yet, even as adoption spreads, serious structural challenges risk limiting how deeply AI transforms work across Africa. As highlighted in a recent analysis of Africa’s AI readiness, major gaps remain in infrastructure: electricity reliability, data centres, internet access, digital skills, and local language support. (TC Insights)

This suggests that many African firms and workers are still operating in a “hybrid” mode — where AI is used opportunistically rather than structurally. Without sustained investment, AI may remain a small productivity tool — not a game-changing shift.

What this means for Africa’s future of work

For businesses across the continent: the 64% adoption rate signals opportunity, but also urgency. To convert this early adoption into real competitive advantage, organizations need to move beyond isolated pilot projects. They must:

• Deepen integration: embed AI into core workflows and business strategy, not just as a side tool.
• Invest in infrastructure: ensure reliable internet, electricity, data centers, and digital platforms to support scalable AI.
• Prioritize upskilling: train workers to use AI effectively and responsibly, and create career paths around AI-augmented roles.
• Develop local AI ecosystems: support AI innovation that reflects African languages, needs, and contexts — especially as many global AI tools assume Western infrastructure and data.

For workers — especially young, digitally literate professionals — this could be a moment of opportunity: those who adapt, reskill, and position themselves as “AI-ready” could benefit significantly as Africa’s workplaces evolve.

But there are risks: if AI adoption remains shallow and patchy, or if infrastructure and policy fail to keep up — uneven access and skills gaps could deepen inequality, leaving many behind.

The road ahead: from adoption to impact

The 64% headline is compelling. It shows that Africa is not sitting on the sidelines of the global AI revolution — many workers are already using AI.

But time will tell whether this remains a transient spike of curiosity and opportunity, or becomes the foundation for a broader transformation. For that to happen, businesses, governments, and civil society must act deliberately: investing in infrastructure, skills, inclusion, and local relevance.

At FintechTodayNews, we will continue tracking how this AI wave reshapes labour markets, fintech, business, and policy across Africa — including whether adoption turns into real, tangible change.