KAMPALA, Uganda — Technology executives are increasing investments in artificial intelligence, talent acquisition and adaptive business models as they move to secure market leadership in what is being termed the Intelligence Age.
The KPMG Global Tech Report 2026, released Jan. 27, reveals a strategic shift among global organizations from experimental AI pilots to embedding the technology into core workflows. According to the research, which surveyed 2,500 executives across 27 countries, 68 percent of organizations aim to reach the highest level of AI maturity by the end of the year.
Despite high ambitions, the report highlights a significant execution gap. While 88 percent of companies are investing in agentic AI—autonomous digital agents capable of making independent decisions—only 24 percent currently achieve a return on investment across multiple use cases.
Guy Holland, global leader for the KPMG Center of Excellence, said the industry is moving past a phase of scattered bets toward a focus on disciplined execution. High-performing organizations, which have successfully scaled their technology and process maturity, are reporting an average ROI of 4.5 times their investment, more than double the industry average.
In Africa, the transition to the Intelligence Age is defined by more than just access to hardware. Marshal Luusa, technology and innovation lead for KPMG One Africa, said the primary differentiator for the continent is the ability to build the skills and governance required to scale technology responsibly. He noted that workforce readiness and executive alignment are the real determinants of value.
The report also underscores a persistent talent shortage. Although organizations are prioritizing digital transformation, 53 percent say they still lack the specialized staff needed to implement their plans. Interestingly, the rise of AI has not led to a mass displacement of human workers; high-performing firms plan to retain 50 percent of their permanent human staff through 2027.
To address these skill gaps and accelerate innovation, 90 percent of executives plan to expand their partnerships and tech ecosystems over the next 12 months. Additionally, nearly a third of tech leaders intend to increase investment in centers of excellence to support cross-functional teams and controlled experimentation.
Looking toward future breakthroughs, 78 percent of organizations agree they must take greater risks on emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and artificial superintelligence, to remain competitive.
