According to a research by MarketsandMarkets, the agentic AI security market is projected to grow from USD 1.65 billion in 2026 to USD 13.52 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 42.0% during the forecast period.

The report indicates that attackers are increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities in datasets, models, and runtime processes through data poisoning, model manipulation, and inference attacks.

As enterprises rely more on AI-driven decisions, securing these environments becomes critical to ensure accuracy, integrity, and resilience.

Key Players in Agentic AI Security Market

1. Microsoft(US),
2. Palo Alto Networks(US),
3. CrowdStrike(US),
4. Straiker, SentinelOne (US),
5. Okta (US),
6. Cloudflare (US),
7. Cato Networks (Israel),
8. Check Point Software Technologies (Israel),
9. Securiti (US),
10. HiddenLayer (US),
11. Noma Security (Israel),
12. Obsidian Security (US),
13. Mindgard (UK),
14. DeepKeep (Israel),
15. Enkrypt AI (US),
16. Pillar Security (US),
17. Astrix Security (Israel),
18. Natoma (US)

By organization size, the SMEs segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

SMEs are expected to witness the fastest growth in the agentic AI security market as they increasingly adopt AI-driven tools and autonomous systems to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.

Unlike large enterprises, SMEs are often moving directly toward AI-native applications, including agent-based automation across customer service, marketing, and operations.

This rapid adoption is exposing them to new security risks, including unauthorized agent actions, data leakage, and vulnerabilities in AI models.

At the same time, SMEs typically have limited in-house cybersecurity expertise and resources, making them more reliant on external solutions.

This is driving strong demand for managed security services, AI-native security platforms, and easy-to-deploy tools that can provide protection without requiring deep technical expertise.

As awareness of AI-related risks continues to grow and more SMEs integrate autonomous systems into their workflows, their spending on agentic AI security is expected to increase at a faster pace compared to large enterprises, making this segment the fastest-growing in the market.

By deployment mode, the infrastructure layer segment is estimated to lead the market during the forecast period.

The infrastructure layer segment is expected to hold the largest share of the agentic AI security market, as it represents the foundational environment in which AI models, agents, and applications are developed, deployed, and executed.

Enterprises continue to rely heavily on cloud platforms, data centers, and high-performance computing environments to run agentic AI systems at scale. As a result, securing this layer becomes a priority, since any vulnerability at the infrastructure level can impact the entire AI stack.

Organizations are investing in securing compute resources, containerized environments, and cloud-native architectures to ensure safe deployment of AI workloads.

Additionally, the growing adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud environments further increases the need for consistent infrastructure-level security controls.

This includes runtime protection, workload isolation, and continuous monitoring of infrastructure behavior.

Since all higher layers, including models and agents, depend on this foundation, spending at the infrastructure level remains significant, making it the largest segment in the market.

By region, the Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is emerging as a high-growth region in the agentic AI security market, driven by the rapid adoption of AI technologies and increasing exposure to AI-enabled cyber threats.

According to IBM, Asia Pacific recorded the highest average cost of data breaches in several countries, reflecting growing security challenges in digital environments.

AI-driven attacks are also rising across the region, particularly in sectors such as BFSI, telecom, and manufacturing, where automation and AI adoption are accelerating.

According to Check Point Software Technologies, organizations in Asia experience a high volume of weekly cyberattacks, many of which are increasingly leveraging AI-based techniques.

IBM is looking to change that by making Deepgram its first-ever voice partner, embedding the startup’s high-speed speech-to-text (STT) and text-to-speech (TTS) tech directly into watsonx Orchestrate.

This isn’t just a minor plugin; it’s a foundational upgrade for IBM’s generative AI solution. By integrating Deepgram, IBM is giving its enterprise clients the ability to build voice agents that actually understand natural human speech, accents, background noise, and all.

The Natural Speech Problem

Most legacy speech-to-text systems crumble when faced with a busy hospital ward, a noisy call center, or a regional accent. Deepgram’s play is its ability to handle real-world audio conditions across a massive range of languages, including dozens of Arabic and Indian dialects.

What this means for the suit-and-tie crowd:

• Low Latency: Voice agents that respond in real-time, not after a five-second thinking
• Custom Tuning: Enterprises can train the AI to understand industry-specific jargon in healthcare or finance.
• Sovereign Dialects: Support for regional accents that global tech giants often ignore.

A First for Big Blue

Being IBM’s first voice partner is a massive street cred boost for Deepgram. For IBM, it’s a move toward an open ecosystem strategy, acknowledging that while they built the brain (watsonx), they’re happy to let a specialist build the ears and the mouth.

“Voice is rapidly becoming the default interface between humans and technology,” said Scott Stephenson, CEO and Co-Founder of Deepgram. “IBM clients can now build voice agents on a real-time foundation that has been refined over a decade.”

Techeconomy’s take is that for years, Voice AI was synonymous with Siri or Alexa, fun for setting timers, but too unreliable for serious business workflows. This partnership signals that the enterprise voice interface has finally grown up.

By embedding Deepgram into the watsonx Orchestrate Agent Builder, IBM is telling its clients: Don’t just type to your AI; talk to it.

In sectors like healthcare, where hands-free data entry can save lives, and finance, where call analysis is a goldmine, this integration is less of a luxury and more of a requirement for the 2026 AI stack.

For Deepgram, hitching a ride on IBM’s enterprise reach is a masterstroke in distribution. For IBM, it’s a necessary step to ensure watsonx doesn’t just think well, but communicates better.

This makes Deepgram IBM’s first voice partner, providing real-time transcription and voice features for enterprise clients.

The integration is designed to improve how companies handle complex audio environments, including background noise, accents, and natural conversation.

It also supports a wide range of languages and regional dialects, including multiple Arabic and Indian variants. Users will gain access to real-time captioning, natural-sounding voices, and options for custom tuning.

These tools can be applied across sectors such as healthcare and finance, supporting automated customer care, call analysis, and voice-driven data entry.

Scott Stephenson, Deepgram CEO and co-founder, said, “Voice is rapidly becoming the default interface between humans and technology, and enterprise deployments require a real-time platform that is accurate, low latency, and reliable at scale. 

“By embedding Deepgram inside watsonx Orchestrate Agent Builder, IBM clients can build voice agents and voice-enabled workflows on top of a real-time foundation that has been developed and refined over more than a decade.”

Nick Holda, vice president of AI Technology Partnerships at IBM, added, “Our watsonx Orchestrate integration powered by Deepgram APIs introduces new speech recognition and transcription capabilities to IBM clients, refining and modernizing their operations. 

“This collaboration aims to help enterprise organizations accelerate their AI initiatives and reinforces IBM’s open ecosystem, bringing choice and cutting-edge voice technology to partners and customers.”

The partnership is expected to strengthen IBM’s ability to provide flexible voice solutions to enterprise clients while expanding Deepgram’s reach to new customers through a trusted platform.

Deepgram provides real-time speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and full speech-to-speech features through cloud or on-premises APIs.

It has processed over 50,000 years of audio and transcribed more than one trillion words. IBM, on the other hand, provides hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting solutions to clients in over 175 countries.

The landmark exhibition, hosted at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos, convened global technology leaders, industry professionals, and innovators under one roof.

The event featured cutting-edge solutions and breakthroughs across artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, fintech, and more, spotlighting the future of digital transformation in Africa.

In collaboration with IBM operated by MIBB, TD Africa demonstrated its commitment to empowering individuals and businesses across Africa through technology and innovation.

Their joint presence at the exhibition drew significant attention from industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators alike.

One of the defining moments was the visit of the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the TD Africa–IBM booth.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was warmly received by Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, who highlighted the company’s impact and vision. The Governor applauded TD Africa’s innovation, tenacity, and longevity in Africa’s technology ecosystem.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ekeh expressed gratitude for the Governor’s support and reiterated TD Africa’s unwavering commitment to advancing digital transformation across the continent:

“It’s not a coincidence for GITEX to have taken place in Nigeria, as the world is becoming aware that this is where the energy of Africa collides with the ambition of the future. As long as TD Africa stands strong behind global brands like IBM and others we represent, we can only go further, stronger, and better.”

Also visiting the booth was the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who emphasised the importance of collaboration in shaping Africa’s digital future.

Adding to the momentum, Mr. Vishnu Taimni, General Manager of IBM operated by MIBB, stressed the need for sustained innovation and partnership:

“Africa’s digital journey cannot be achieved in isolation. Our collaboration with TD Africa at GITEX is proof that when global expertise meets local strength, we unlock the future of technology for businesses, governments, and communities across the continent.”

The booth was further honoured by the presence of Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group, who commended TD Africa and IBM for their steadfastness and consistency in driving growth and innovation in Africa’s technology sector.

The successful participation of TD Africa at GITEX Nigeria 2025, in partnership with IBM, reinforces its position as a pillar of Africa’s digital transformation journey.

By standing strong with global partners and local stakeholders, TD Africa continues to shape the future of technology in Africa, driven by resilience, innovation, and impact.

From July 25, the new Power11 systems will hit the market, bringing enhancements in energy efficiency, ransomware detection, and uninterrupted operations.

This launch is not about competing in Artificial Intelligence model training, instead, IBM says Power11 is designed for AI inference, the point at which businesses put AI to work, not the heavy lifting of building models. And that’s precisely where IBM believes it can win.

“We can integrate AI capabilities seamlessly into this for inference acceleration and help their business process improvements,” said Tom McPherson, general manager of Power Systems at IBM.

“It’s not going to have all the horsepower for training or anything, but it’s going to have really good inferencing capabilities that are simple to integrate.”

IBM is targeting sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, fields where downtime translates to disaster. With zero planned maintenance shutdowns and an average of just over 30 seconds of unplanned downtime per year, Power11 systems aim for what IBM calls “six nines” of availability—99.9999% uptime.

Ransomware is another threat IBM is addressing. Power11 systems can reportedly detect and respond to a ransomware attack within one minute. This defence is supported by the IBM Power Cyber Vault, which includes quantum-safe cryptography and immutable snapshot backups, measures aligned with the latest NIST cybersecurity standards.

The chip also comes with serious performance numbers. Compared to its Power9 predecessor, Power11 delivers up to 55% more performance per core. It outpaces Power10 with a 45% boost in capacity and offers two times better performance per watt when compared to x86 servers. 

In Energy Efficient Mode, it still outperforms AMD’s Epyc 9004 and Intel’s Xeon 6 with up to 28% better server efficiency and bandwidth per socket reaching 1,200 GB/s, more than double that of AMD and nearly twice that of Intel.

IBM isn’t limiting this launch to one end of the market either. The company is rolling out high-end, mid-range, and entry-level servers all at once.

For the first time, Power Virtual Server is also debuting in IBM Cloud, allowing users to access Power11 via the cloud and scale operations as needed. The system is already certified for RISE with SAP, showing IBM’s alignment with enterprise digital transformation strategies.

By the fourth quarter of 2025, Power11 will be integrated with Spyre, IBM’s own AI accelerator chip introduced last year. Spyre is tailored for low-latency, high-throughput inference across hybrid cloud environments, ensuring AI tasks run efficiently across both on-premises and cloud platforms.

IBM is working to simplify how enterprises apply AI in everyday processes, quickly, securely, and without the need to shut down.

The company introduced innovative solutions at its annual Think conference, focusing on integration and accessibility for businesses looking to deploy AI technologies effectively.

Chief Executive Arvind Krishna stated that IBM’s strategy revolves around facilitating the creation and integration of AI agents tailored to specific business needs.

“We help our clients integrate. We want to meet them where they are,” Krishna said, outlining how IBM’s tools could empower organisations to build AI agents quickly—within five minutes—using a combination of IBM’s proprietary models and offerings from other industry players, such as Meta Platforms and Mistral. 

The key aim is to bridge the gap for customers who use AI agents from various providers, like Salesforce, Workday, and Adobe, ensuring seamless integration across different platforms.

The tools introduced by IBM come as the company works to build a more diversified portfolio in the AI space. Last month, IBM reported securing $6 billion in business related to generative AI, a big one for the company. 

As Krishna explained, businesses are seeking AI models tailored to specific tasks, which in turn creates greater demand for IBM’s solutions. “All of these capabilities will only accelerate that rate of growth on those numbers,” he said, noting the potential for IBM’s tools to accelerate its expansion in the AI sector.

Despite facing competition from cloud providers like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, IBM continues to carve out a niche with its focus on hybrid cloud solutions. 

This focus targets businesses that require multi-cloud or on-premise infrastructure, a segment that IBM has long been committed to serving. 

Krishna also reaffirmed the company’s focus on innovation, announcing that over the next five years, IBM would invest $150 billion in the United States. 

This investment will target areas such as mainframe computing, AI, and quantum computing, areas where IBM sees significant potential for growth. “Between mainframe, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, we think there’s going to be a very healthy market that behooves us to invest and lean in,” Krishna said.

The announcement aligns with IBM’s long-term strategy to ensure technological development in the U.S., an effort that will likely bolster the company’s presence in a highly competitive market. 

Added to these, Krishna noted that the regulatory environment under former President Donald Trump’s administration has created a favourable setting for businesses to thrive, providing the necessary conditions for IBM’s investment plans to succeed.

The funds will focus on boosting the country’s technology sector, particularly in manufacturing mainframe and quantum computers. 

More than $30 billion of this will be directed towards research and development, as the company seeks to further its American operations in these cutting-edge sectors.

The move aligns with IBM’s focus on economic growth. Arvind Krishna, IBM’s chairman and CEO, stressed that “Technology doesn’t just build the future — it defines it.”

This investment is a big step in the company’s longstanding dedication to U.S. job creation and innovation, a commitment that spans over a century.

IBM’s role in the tech industry is undeniable. It has been indispensable in shaping essential developments such as the data systems behind the U.S. social security program and the technology that supported the Apollo mission to the moon. 

More than 70% of global transactions, by value, rely on IBM’s mainframes, which are manufactured in Poughkeepsie, New York.

The company’s focus is not just on maintaining its position in traditional computing but also on leading the charge in quantum computing. With the largest fleet of quantum computers globally, IBM is positioned to drive the next big shift in technology. 

Quantum computing promises to tackle challenges that current systems cannot address, offering potential breakthroughs in fields like national security and economic competitiveness. 

As part of its plan, IBM’s Quantum Network provides access to these systems to major corporations, academic institutions, and startups, enhancing the reach and potential of this transformative technology.

By doubling down on both innovation and manufacturing in the U.S., IBM is showing its intention to secure America’s role at the forefront of technological advancement. 

The prestigious event, held at the Kempinski Hotel Accra, brought together some of the most influential minds in the technology ecosystem, further cementing TD Africa’s role as a transformative force in Sub-Saharan Africa’s tech landscape.

Spearheaded by Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, the summit provided a strategic platform for top industry players, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and key stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and foster collaborations that will shape the future of technology in Ghana and beyond.

Chioma Chimere, CMD of TD Africa, set the tone for the event by warmly welcoming guests and partners. In her opening remarks, she described the esteemed attendees as the “men and women redefining the technological landscape in Ghana.”

She further highlighted the importance of their partnership with TD Africa, emphasizing how, together, they are the drivers and enablers of digital transformation across the region.

The summit attracted high-profile personalities, amongst whom were Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, renowned as Africa’s foremost tech disruptor and serial entrepreneur; Mr. Emmanuel Morka, CIO of Access Bank and Regional CIO of Access Bank West Africa Region; Dr. Bryan Achempong, the former Minister of Agriculture in Ghana; Mr. Chimaraoke Nwogwugwu, the COO of M-Technology Solutions Limited. Their presence underscored the importance of TD Africa’s mission to drive innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement across the continent.

In addition, the event saw the active participation of top delegates from global tech giants such as Dell, Cisco, Microsoft, Huawei, HP, Starlink, Philips, IBM, APC, Ecoflow, and Vertiv, among others.

These industry experts engaged in insightful discussions, explored new frontiers in digital transformation, and leveraged the event as a powerful networking opportunity.

A major highlight of the summit was Emmanuel Morka’s thought-provoking discussion on Financial Inclusion, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Blockchain Technology. Addressing the audience, he emphasized that the core idea behind Financial Services Innovation (FSI) is to create inclusive financial systems that leave no one behind.

According to him,

“AI and Blockchain are not just buzzwords; they are game-changers that have the potential to revolutionize financial inclusion in Africa. The challenge before us is to develop systems that can reach every individual, no matter their socio-economic status, and empower them with financial tools that drive economic growth.” He also expressed deep appreciation for TD Africa, noting that “this summit is a testament to TD Africa’s commitment to fostering digital transformation and providing platforms where crucial conversations like these can take place.”

The Accra Synergy Summit was more than just a gathering — it was a catalyst for action. It reinforced the urgency for tech industry leaders to go beyond discussions and take deliberate steps in transforming Africa through technology. Events like this serve as a wake-up call, inspiring tech pioneers to innovate, collaborate, and break new ground in an industry that continues to shape the continent’s future.

TD Africa’s unwavering commitment to digital transformation across sub-Saharan Africa was evident throughout the event. By fostering synergy between key stakeholders, TD Africa continues to play an instrumental role in bridging technology gaps, empowering businesses, and driving economic growth through innovative solutions.

The impact of this summit will undoubtedly empower Ghana as a formidable force in the global tech space and set the stage for a tech-driven Africa poised for unprecedented growth.

This initiative aims to enhance local cloud capabilities, attract hyper-scale investments, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration, Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s Director-General, emphasised the need for accurate data and regulatory frameworks to support these initiatives, necessary for Nigeria to control its digital infrastructure, data, and technological future noting that,

“Without this foundation, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where both local data centre providers can scale, and global hyper-scalers see Nigeria as a viable investment destination.”

While identifying lack of accurate data on Nigeria’s IT infrastructure as significant challenge, Inuwa noted that while Africa comprises nearly 19% of the world’s population, it hosts less than 1% of global data centres.

“This disparity, coupled with limited insights into Nigeria’s existing IT capacity, hampers investment efforts and without clear data on our infrastructure, attracting investment becomes challenging,” he said.

The NITDA boss maintained that, to address this, NITDA commissioned comprehensive research to assess Nigeria’s digital landscape which findings have highlighted the need for improved regulatory frameworks, clearer investment incentives, and stronger public-private collaboration. He added that subsequently upon this, NITDA has engaged global consultants to redefine strategies for cloud development.

As the TWG embarks on its mission, NITDA urges industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to contribute their expertise and resources. “With collective effort, Nigeria can emerge as the premier digital hub for West and Central Africa,” Inuwa concluded.

While corroborating the Director General’s point of views, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Mr. Emmanuel Edet, underscored the importance of regulatory intervention in fostering a robust digital economy.

“Our objective is to establish policies and legal frameworks that support cloud development, enabling us to securely host and manage our data. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy, Edet said.”

He also highlights the necessity of capacity building, stating that, “Equipping ourselves with top-tier training and expertise is essential to fully leverage digital technologies.” Mr. Edet called on all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. “Collaboratively, we must develop a framework that reflects our national interests, and it should be widely accepted. This effort will define Nigeria’s role in the global digital arena, he observed.

The TWG will help in the drive to attract hyperscale investments and enhance local cloud capabilities by proffering measures to encourage the use of accurate data, recommend the enactment and compliance to enabling policies.

Techeconomy can report that members of the TWG which includes Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, HUAWEI Cloud, Equinix, Kasi, Rack Centre, Africa Data Centres, several other data centre operators and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission expressed support and readiness to volunteer and contribute resources.

The company has decided to transfer its business functions in the region to MIBB, a subsidiary of Midis Group, which will take over the sale and support of IBM’s products and services across 36 African nations starting 1 April 2025.

With over five decades of presence in Nigeria, IBM was a big partner in sectors such as banking, telecommunications, oil and gas, and government. The company provided high-end computing and storage solutions to financial institutions like Zenith Bank. 

However, in recent years, the competitive space has shifted, with firms such as Dell and Huawei expanding their reach in Nigeria’s banking sector. This growing competition, coupled with economic challenges, has contributed to IBM’s decision to restructure its African operations.

IBM’s decision to withdraw from direct operations in West Africa follows a trend among multinational corporations reconsidering their presence in Nigeria due to the country’s economic difficulties. 

The devaluation of the naira, growing inflation, and shrinking consumer purchasing power have made it more difficult for global firms to sustain operations. In 2023, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) reported that 767 manufacturing companies shut down, while hundreds more struggled due to economic instability.

Several multinational companies, including Kimberly-Clark, Pick n Pay, and Diageo, have exited Nigeria in 2024, pointing to unfavourable economic conditions. 

For IBM, this exit aligns with its global financial challenges. The company reported an 8% decline in infrastructure sales and a 2% drop in consulting revenue in 2024, even though software sales grew by 10%, contributing to an overall 1% revenue increase. IBM’s global strategy now focuses on restructuring operations for more sustainable growth.

The transition of IBM’s African operations to MIBB leaves us wondering how businesses and government institutions that have relied on IBM’s solutions will be affected. 

While MIBB will continue to market and sell IBM products, the shift could lead to challenges in terms of service continuity and support. The long-term impact is uncertain, and some experts are concerned about whether MIBB will maintain the same level of service and expertise that IBM provided.

Nonetheless, IBM projects a 5% revenue growth in 2025, backed by a projected free cash flow of $13.5 billion. But its departure from direct operations in Nigeria and other African countries points to a change in priorities as it scales through both regional and global challenges.

For now, businesses and institutions that have depended on IBM must prepare for a new operational model under MIBB, adjusting to the changing technological space in Africa.