Factors holding back growth
C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
Cutting through competition
This year’s barometer captures the optimism and readiness of C-suite leaders in Africa, despite the impact of geopolitical pressures around the world and their impact on businesses in the region. Executives report common and increasingly global concerns that are difficult enough on their own and create more complexity with their interconnectivity.
C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
Find out more
Block 19 lorem sit amet consectetur.
Single contact
option 1
“Business leaders in Africa are acutely aware of the opportunities in the market and, with a clear strategy centred on talent and technology, they are well-positioned to navigate geopolitical challenges while sustaining their growth ambitions. However, the increasing intensity of competition has become a critical factor, reshaping the trajectory of long-standing expansion plans. The impact of AI and digital transformation has also become a key priority on the agendas of all C-suite executives in Africa. Now, more than ever, leaders must act decisively to adapt and capitalise on these dynamics to secure long-term success.”
Regional Chair,
Forvis Mazars
Anoop Ninan
42%
have a dedicated strategy for technology transformation vs 76% globally.
87%
Having doubled in importance from 28% to 56% of the C-suite, leaders in the region clearly recognise the value in doubling down on opportunities to transform their business through technology.
Technology transformation is the biggest priority for the coming 3-5 years.
The scope on sustainability
Transformation priorities for success
IT and technology
Upscaling talent
strategies
International expansion
The top external trends
Central and Eastern Europe
Africa and
Middle East
Latin
America
Central and Eastern Europe
Section title
Download the report
Economic uncertainty
41%
34%
Mark Kennedy
An optimistic outlook for growth
Confidence in tackling the key trends
Confidence among C-suite leaders has returned to 2023 levels, suggesting a more cautious and considered approach to tackling the key external trends expected to impact their business in the coming year.
43%
34%
Climate change and environmental impacts
43%
Emergence of new technologies
46%
Economic factors
C-suite executives in Africa have recognised a significant shift that will have a knock-on effect on their strategies. Over the past 12 months the importance of economic factors and new technologies retains its position and we now have a C-suite driven by the scarcity of talent which has jumped significantly into the top trends expected to have the biggest impact on businesses in the region.
33%
Energy prices/
shortages
31%
Increased competition
> Discover key insights in the C-suite Barometer 2025
Discover more C-suite insights from our experts
Learn more
| Regional outlook: Africa
Energy prices and/or shortages
Increased competition
Africa is the only region where we see an even split of C-suite leaders (49%) that consider ESG reporting requirements to be an opportunity and also a cost.
International expansion
Upscaling talent
strategies
The scope on sustainability
IT and technology
the importance of talent has risen by nine points, with leaders prioritising people and skills.
26%
Leaders in Africa recognise the value of people and their skills but are struggling with the shortage and hiring challenges.
International expansion
Upscaling talent
strategies
The scope on sustainability
IT and technology
Despite geopolitical challenges, C-suite executives in the region have solid plans for international expansion.
International expansion
Upscaling talent
strategies
The scope on sustainability
IT and technology
Capturing the views of more than 150 C-suite leaders
in Africa, these regional insights assess the outlook for businesses in the region in 2025 from sample responses collected between September and October 2024.
42%
Economic uncertainty
42%
Economic uncertainty
are already using artificial intelligence for internal processes.
81%
confirm efficiency and productivity as the most important transformation priority.
60%
are already using artificial intelligence for internal processes.
81%
confirm efficiency and productivity as the most important transformation priority.
60%
have a dedicated strategy for technology transformation vs 76% globally.
87%
Having doubled in importance from 28% to 56% of the C-suite, leaders in the region clearly recognise the value in doubling down on opportunities to transform their business through technology.
International expansion
Upscaling talent strategies
The scope on sustainability
IT and technology
new or revised sustainability strategies remain a top three strategic priority with executives in Africa.
27%
Africa is the only region where we see an even split of C-suite leaders (49%) that consider ESG reporting requirements to be an opportunity and also a cost – demonstrating a pragmatic and responsible approach to sustainability this than other executives globally.
International expansion
Upscaling talent strategies
The scope on sustainability
IT and
technology
Leaders in Africa recognise the value of people and their skills but are struggling with the shortage and hiring challenges.
International expansion
Upscaling talent strategies
The scope on sustainability
IT and
technology
66% of business in Africa plan to expand internationally to at least one new country in the next five years.
China and Australia are the top destinations targeted by organisations in Africa, along with the US.
Over 40% of leaders are targeting three or more new countries.
83% organisations plan to expand to at least one new country in the next five years.
53% organisations producing a sustainability report is down from 86% in 2024.
27% new or revised sustainability strategies remain a top three strategic priority with executives in Africa.
44% executives state the talent shortage in the market is their biggest recruitment challenge – up four points from last year.
57% C-suite leaders now report a struggle to recruit talented people – up from 27% in just 12 months.
International expansion is joint third in the list of leaders’ priorities.
26%
data capture and quality remains a challenge when producing a report, and a bigger one for leaders in the region than others globally.
38%
66% of business in Africa plan to expand international to at least one new country in the next five years.
26%, international expansion is joint third in the list of leaders' priorities.
53% however, the number of organisations producing a report is down from 86% in 2024.
27% new or revised sustainability strategies remain a top three strategic priority with executives in Africa.
The importance of talent has risen by 9 points, with leaders prioritising people and skills.
26%
33%
Scarcity of talent
33%
Equally – Scarcity of talent and energy prices
| Regional insights: APAC
are already using artificial intelligence for internal processes.
81%
confirm efficiency and productivity as the most important transformation priority.
60%
Download our Africa report
More Africa insights
Download our Africa report