Risks of Poor AI Adoption in Africa: ipNX Warns Firms on Data, Infrastructure Gaps

Artificial intelligence may be transforming industries across the globe, but experts are warning that rushing into adoption without proper foundations could do more harm than good. Technology firm ipNX Nigeria has cautioned businesses against over-reliance on AI without first building strong data systems, reliable infrastructure, and sustainable digital frameworks.

The warning was delivered at the 2026 IoT West Africa Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos, where technology leaders and policymakers gathered to discuss the future of digital transformation across the continent. In a statement shared with The PUNCH, the company emphasized that successful innovation depends more on preparation than on trend-driven adoption.

Speaking during a boardroom session titled “Tech Transformation: A Masterclass to Enable the C-Suite to Lead Digital Transformation in Nigeria,” ipNX Chief Technology Architect Oluwaseun Oluboyo stressed that companies must first understand their business challenges and customer needs before deploying AI solutions. According to him, many organisations are too focused on new technologies rather than building systems capable of supporting them effectively.

He warned that poor data quality remains one of the biggest threats to successful AI implementation, noting that artificial intelligence can amplify errors just as easily as it can generate insights. “AI is not a magic bullet… AI will produce nonsense faster than any human can do,” Oluboyo said, adding that companies must carefully design workflows and ensure their data is accurate and well-structured before deployment.

Oluboyo also raised concerns about Africa’s growing dependence on foreign cloud infrastructure, urging a shift toward stronger local digital systems. He explained that relying heavily on overseas servers could create challenges around speed, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. According to him, investing in local infrastructure is key to strengthening digital sovereignty, improving efficiency, and ensuring long-term sustainability for Africa’s digital economy.

source: punch