Outlook 2026: Moving Forward with Confident Resilience
As organisations prepare for 2026, CEOs across Africa and globally are entering the year with measured optimism, strategic clarity, and a strong focus on resilience. According to the KPMG 2025 Africa CEO Outlook, leaders are deliberately prioritising AI investment, talent development, and ESG integration as core drivers of sustainable business growth.
The outlook is clear: innovation, resilience, and responsible decision-making will shape the next phase of economic and organisational performance.
Business Confidence and Growth Expectations
African CEOs remain confident despite ongoing economic and geopolitical pressures. The survey reveals that 63% are optimistic about national growth prospects, while 78% express strong confidence in their organisations. In the short term, 98% expect business expansion, and 86% anticipate acquisitions, signalling an active growth environment.
Globally, sentiment is similarly positive. 79% of CEOs worldwide are optimistic about their organisations’ future performance, with the majority expecting revenue increases over the next three years.
This confidence, however, is paired with a heightened awareness of pricing pressures, cost management, and customer communication, especially in markets where price changes and increases require careful justification and timing.
Shared Challenges, Aligned Priorities
Despite regional differences, African and global CEOs face remarkably similar challenges. These include regulatory complexity, supply chain resilience, cybersecurity risks, and the growing expectations of customers and stakeholders.
As a result, CEOs are being more deliberate about how resources are allocated, particularly when it comes to:
Pricing strategies
Cost increases
Clear customer communication
Transparent notices and justifications
In Africa specifically, CEOs are also increasing their focus on intra-African trade and market expansion, viewing the continent as both a growth opportunity and a resilience buffer.
AI Takes Centre Stage in 2026
AI has emerged as the top strategic priority heading into 2026. Notably, 26% of African CEOs plan to allocate more than 20% of their annual budget to AI, nearly double the global average of 14%.
This reflects a shift in mindset. AI is no longer seen as a future concept, but as an immediate business tool to:
Improve operational efficiency
Support better pricing and forecasting decisions
Enhance customer experience
Strengthen long-term resilience
Organisations are carefully considering whether to build, buy, or partner when deploying AI solutions, weighing cost, risk, and internal capability before committing to large-scale investments.
Talent, Customers, and the Human Impact of Change
In the age of AI, talent remains a critical priority. Among African CEOs:
88% expect to increase headcount
62% are focused on retaining and retraining high-potential employees
67% are redeploying staff into AI-enabled roles
Globally, these trends are echoed, highlighting the importance of clear internal communication, especially when roles evolve or processes change.
For customers, this period of transformation places greater pressure on businesses to communicate clearly around changes, particularly when it comes to pricing increases, service adjustments, or operational shifts. CEOs increasingly recognise the importance of:
Timely notices
Transparent explanations
Well-considered justifications
Where necessary, sincere apologies
These elements are becoming essential to maintaining trust and long-term customer relationships.
ESG, Sustainability, and Accountability
Despite regulatory complexity, ESG remains firmly embedded in CEO priorities. In Africa:
46% are aligning sustainability goals with core business strategy
51% prioritise compliance and reporting
74% are using AI to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency
Globally, 65% of CEOs have fully embedded sustainability into their business, and 61% believe they are on track to meet 2030 net-zero targets.
This reflects a growing understanding that sustainability is no longer optional—it is critical to business credibility, customer confidence, and long-term success.
Leading with Confidence into 2026
While 59% of CEOs say their roles have become more complex, and 80% feel increased pressure to deliver long-term prosperity, leaders are responding proactively.
By investing in AI, talent, ESG, and clearer communication strategies, CEOs are positioning their organisations to manage change responsibly—balancing growth ambitions with customer expectations, pricing realities, and regulatory demands.
As one insight makes clear: confident resilience is no longer a mindset—it is a business strategy for 2026 and beyond.