73% of CEOs bullish about economy but have technology risks concerns – PwC
Ghana’s business leaders are expressing renewed confidence in the country’s economic prospects while simultaneously grappling with the accelerating pace of technological change, according to a recent analysis of PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey focused on the Ghanaian market.
The survey, conducted amid signs of macroeconomic stabilization, reveals that 73% of Chief Executive Officers in Ghana are very or extremely confident about their companies’ revenue growth over both the short term (next 12 months) and medium term (next three years). This figure represents a significant increase from the previous year’s reading and underscores a shift in sentiment driven by improving economic indicators. Inflation has eased to 3.4% in May 2026, a marked decline from the 28% peak recorded in March 2025, while the central bank has responded by lowering the policy rate to 14%, creating a more favorable environment for business investment and expansion.
Beyond domestic factors, Ghanaian CEOs are notably optimistic about the broader global economic outlook. Four in five executives anticipate improvement in global economic conditions over the coming year — a projection that has risen from under half the previous year and now exceeds both global and African regional averages. This optimism is further supported by stronger-than-expected GDP growth throughout much of 2025 and into early 2026, which has contributed to a sense of renewed stability in the business environment.
However, this positive outlook is accompanied by growing apprehension regarding technological disruption. For the third consecutive year, while macroeconomic volatility remains a concern, technology-related risks have risen rapidly on CEOs’ risk registers, surpassing both inflation and cybersecurity as a primary near-term worry. Approximately one-third (33%) of Ghana’s CEOs report feeling highly or extremely exposed to technological changes in the next 12 months, with nearly half (48%) expressing anxiety about safeguarding their companies’ medium to long-term viability amid rapid innovation and industry transformation.
This trend mirrors global movements, such as Microsoft’s recent AI-driven layoffs that reshaped the tech sector, while local initiatives like Ibrahim Mahama’s support for young AI developers aim to nurture homegrown talent.
The survey highlights a stark divide in the adoption and impact of artificial intelligence across Ghana’s corporate sector. While 18% of CEOs state they are already realizing full financial benefits from AI initiatives, nearly 40% acknowledge they are in the experimentation phase without yet seeing material financial returns. This gap suggests that early adopters are capturing competitive advantages through increased efficiency and innovation, while a substantial portion of businesses remain in the exploratory stage, potentially risking being left behind in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
George Arhin, Partner at PwC Ghana, provided context for these findings. “Confidence is surging. Risk perceptions are mutating. And the difference between momentum and missed opportunity will be what CEOs choose to do next,” he remarked. Arhin emphasized that the current macroeconomic optimism should translate into action at the organizational level, urging business leaders to “monetise stability quickly while rewiring for an AI-led, cross-industry future.” He noted that CEOs who successfully balance short-term gains with long-term technological adaptation are likely to emerge as winners in the evolving economic landscape.
The report also draws attention to a potential imbalance in risk management priorities. As technology disruption climbs, there appears to be an underweighting of cyber risk in CEOs’ assessments, even as organizations invest in digital transformation. This oversight could leave companies vulnerable to evolving threats such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber incidents, particularly as they increase their reliance on interconnected digital systems.
Despite these challenges, the overarching narrative remains one of tempered optimism. The improved macroeconomic conditions — characterized by declining inflation, a stronger local currency, and robust GDP growth — have created a foundation for business confidence. However, executives remain acutely aware that currency stability is fragile and susceptible to external shocks, including commodity price fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions that could quickly test the nascent recovery.
Furthermore, Ghanaian CEOs recognize that the blurring of industry lines is no longer a temporary phenomenon but a durable feature of the modern economic landscape. This ongoing “Great Reconfiguration” of value pools, driven by technological innovation and shifting consumer preferences, is already influencing corporate strategies as companies seek to adapt to an increasingly interconnected and competitive market.
As Ghana’s business leaders navigate this complex terrain, their ability to harness technological opportunities while mitigating associated risks will likely play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s economic future. The survey suggests that those who act decisively to invest in innovation, upskill their workforces, and strengthen their digital resilience will be best positioned to capitalize on the current wave of optimism and drive sustainable growth in the years ahead.
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