TITLE:
Comparative Analysis of Business Intelligence Adoption in Ten Developing African Economies
AUTHORS:
Samuel Otis Pratt
KEYWORDS:
Business Intelligence (BI), BI Adoption, Digital Transformation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
14,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study examines cross-national differences in Business Intelligence (BI) adoption among ten developing African countries, focusing on the impact of national infrastructure, digital readiness, and sectoral dynamics on adoption patterns. While global research recognizes BI as a key driver of data-driven decision-making and competitive advantage, there is limited research on how adoption rates vary across African settings characterized by diverse institutional and economic conditions (Wamba et al., 2017). This research addresses that gap using country-level descriptive data, sector comparisons, and insights from Chapter 4 of the dissertation dataset. The study employs comparative descriptive analysis, country-by-sector means, and cross-national charts to reveal significant variations in BI adoption across the ten economies. Countries with advanced ICT infrastructure, such as Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa, exhibit higher adoption rates, whereas others experience slower adoption due to infrastructure gaps, regulatory challenges, or skill shortages (Egala et al., 2024). Sectoral analysis indicates that the finance and technology industries are leading in BI implementation, while the retail sector displays more moderate or incremental adoption. The findings underscore the need for tailored, country-specific digital transformation initiatives across the continent. They highlight that BI adoption is influenced not only by organizational capabilities but also by broader national factors that either facilitate or hinder technological progress. This study advances academic debate, informs policy aligned with the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy (AU, 2020), and helps multinational corporations and investors assess market readiness within Africa’s evolving digital landscape.