Geopolitics has moved to the centre of the CEO risk agenda, with 56 per cent of them citing it as the most significant risk over the next 12 months, the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook survey has shown.
The report, which highlighted responses of 1,200 CEOs from 21 countries, said CEOs are responding to rising geopolitical and macroeconomic risk with greater discipline and selectivity, not retrenchment.
Despite this, the report noted that business leaders remain focused on profitability, resilience, and long-term growth, with 82 per cent prioritisingdisciplined growth over rapid expansion.
“CEOs are focusing more on careful growth and long-term change using AI and smart business deals, even though there is more risk from world politics and the economy. In times of uncertainty and many problems happening at once, CEOs are not giving up. Instead, they want to make their businesses stronger and more profitable by growing carefully and learning from past problems,” the survey further revealed.
On how world politics are changing business plans, the report revealed that more than half of CEOs (56 per cent) say world politics is the biggest risk to their business in the next year. This is much higher than before.
Continuing, the report posited that many CEOs (46 per cent) say high energy prices because of world politics are making business harder. This shows how politics affects money and operations directly, adding that CEOs are not stopping their plans because of this. Rather, they want to be careful about where they spend money. They want to grow in a way that is safe, focused on profits, and strong against risks.
“Most CEOs (82 per cent) want steady, long-term growth and clear profits, not just fast expansion. They are focusing on saving money, working better, keeping good workers, and using technology like AI to be more productive,” the report added.
Corroborating, EY-Parthenon West Africa Leader, Olufemi Alabi, said: “Even with many challenges, CEOs in West Africa and beyond are not slowing down. They have learned from past problems and now plan carefully where to grow. They know the world is always changing, so they want to be ready for anything by growing in a smart and steady way.”.
On AI, the report also pointed to AI as still very important for CEOs everywhere, noting that 80 per cent plan to spend more on AI in 2026, and only 1 per cent plan to spend less. Almost half (48 per cent) are buying or selling parts of their business to get better AI technology.
According to the report, AI is helping businesses grow by improving customer service (42 per cent), creating new ideas (40 per cent), making operations better (41 per cent), and helping with plans (41 per cent). Most CEOs (83 per cent) feel good about investing in new technology.
But there are still problems. Rules about AI are different in many places and changing fast. 30 per cent of CEOs say these rules make it harder to use AI well, and 38 per cent say the rules are confusing and stop AI from growing fast.
On how AI changes people’s perception around the work environment, the report said people worry AI will take jobs, but CEOs see it differently. Almost all CEOs (99 per cent) say AI will change how they manage workers in the next three years, but only 20 per cent think AI will mean fewer new hires, down from 46 per cent last year.
“CEOs see AI as a tool to help workers do better, not replace them. 42 per cent plan to train workers in new skills, and 44 per cent want to change jobs so people and AI work together. Still, finding workers with AI skills is hard. 20 per cent of CEOs say not having enough AI skills and leaders who understand AI is a big problem. This means companies must invest in training and leadership.”
But Alabi noted that CEOs in West Africa see AI as a tool to help people, not replace them. The real challenge, according to him, is teaching workers new skills to use AI well. Without this, companies will miss out on what AI can do, he stressed.
On smart deals, AI and long-term goals, the survey also has it that, even with risks, CEOs still see buying and selling parts of businesses as key to growing, with 89 per cent saying they will do more deals in the next year but will be more careful.
The report disclosed that the US is the top place for deals, followed by India, the UK, Canada, and Germany, noting that AI is a big reason for deals. 48 per cent say getting better AI tech is the main reason for buying or selling parts of their business. 47 per cent say deals must fit their long-term growth plans.
Regional Managing Partner for EY West Africa, Anthony Oputa, said that in Nigeria and West Africa, businesses face many challenges, but also great chances to grow.
“We see leaders using smart plans and new technology like AI to build stronger companies. At EY, we are ready to help our clients make the best decisions for long-term success and to grow their businesses carefully and confidently,” he added.
Emmanuel Addeh
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