Former MTN Nigeria CEO, Michael Ikpoki, has stated that enhanced productivity could generate an additional $1.4 trillion for Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), driving employment and sustainable economic development across the continent.
Ikpoki made the remarks on Thursday at the inaugural Employability Summit 2025, organised by Premium Times under the theme: “Converting Nigeria’s Demography into Assets.”
Emphasising that productivity is the true driver of GDP growth, Ikpoki argued that upskilling the workforce and scaling local businesses are critical steps towards resolving Nigeria’s unemployment challenges and building a resilient, future-ready economy.
He further underscored the pivotal role of digital innovation, noting that technology can bridge skills gaps, boost worker efficiency, and drive growth across sectors.
“As we create more quality jobs and people perform better in their roles, value is generated. Companies grow, SMEs expand, individuals prosper, and ultimately, the economy thrives. Productivity is key,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of workplace culture, Ikpoki called for environments that nurture cross-generational collaboration and maximise employee potential.
“Africa currently has around 345 companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. About 66 per cent of these are homegrown, but more than 40 per cent are based in South Africa, while only 7 per cent are in Nigeria,” he added, calling for deliberate efforts to grow large-scale businesses locally.
