Zoho Reports 75% Customer Growth in Nigeria, Unveils New Study on Nigeria’s Responsible AI Adoption
Zoho, a global technology leader, announced a remarkable 75% increase in its customer base in Nigeria during 2024. The company also released a pioneering research study revealing Nigeria’s position at the forefront of responsible AI deployment, emphasizing a balanced approach to AI innovation and privacy protection.
The study, titled “The AI Privacy Equation: The Nigerian Model of Responsible AI Adoption,” was conducted by Arion Research on behalf of Zoho. The findings were shared during Zoholics Nigeria, the company’s annual user conference held this year in Lagos.
Leading the Way in Responsible AI
Kehinde Ogundare, Zoho Nigeria’s Country Head, stated, “Our investment in Nigeria continues to grow as local businesses embrace technology to scale. The latest research underscores that Nigerian companies are setting a global example by integrating AI responsibly—prioritizing privacy alongside innovation. Our AI solutions are built to be contextual and privacy-first, empowering businesses with decision intelligence.”
Key Insights from the Study
The survey of 386 Nigerian business leaders reveals that:
– 93% of organizations have begun their AI journey.
– 31% have achieved advanced AI integration.
– Over 50% have moved beyond experimentation to operational AI deployment.
– 84% have enhanced their privacy measures since adopting AI, with 66% noting significant improvements.
Leadership plays a crucial role, with over half of respondents occupying CEO or executive roles, fueling rapid AI adoption driven by top-tier commitment.
Embedding Responsible AI
Nigerian firms are not just adopting AI—they are embedding responsibility into their strategies:
– 94% have dedicated privacy officers or teams, surpassing global benchmarks.
– 40% allocate more than 30% of their IT budgets to privacy initiatives.
– The financial sector leads in AI use cases such as customer service automation, software development, and marketing, all implemented with privacy-by-design principles.
Skills Development and Regulatory Readiness
While 37% of businesses cite a lack of technical expertise as a barrier, many are actively investing in skills:
– 69% focus on data analysis and interpretation.
– 53% prioritize AI literacy.
– 40% are investing in prompt engineering skills for generative AI tools.
Furthermore, about 65% report increased awareness of regulatory requirements since Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, with regular privacy audits and data minimization practices becoming standard.
A Nigerian Blueprint for Responsible AI
Michael Fauscette, CEO of Arion Research, commented, “Nigeria’s responsible AI model challenges the notion that privacy and innovation are at odds. When 84% of organizations strengthen their privacy measures through AI, it demonstrates that privacy-conscious design can enhance outcomes. Nigerian businesses are proving that strong governance is a competitive advantage, building trust and sustainable AI solutions.”
Zoho’s Expanding Presence in Nigeria
Zoho’s growth is driven by demand for integrated, scalable solutions such as Zoho Workplace, Books, Campaigns, and Zoho One. Key sectors include IT, finance, energy, manufacturing, real estate, education, and retail.