• Continuous learning is essential for staying relevant in the tech space.
• AI is creating demand for job roles such as ethical AI managers.
• Adaptability is essential as professionals must unlearn outdated methods and learn new trends.
• Blockchain adoption and sustainable tech will top 2025’s innovation priorities.

The global technology market is predicted to surpass $6 trillion by 2025, driven by growth in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cybersecurity, and extended reality. 

Yet, this progress makes the challenges even more obvious, particularly for tech professionals striving to stay relevant in an industry where innovation is the norm.

In the third edition of Techeconomy Business Series titled Major Lessons for Techies in 2024 and Projections for 2025, experts in the tech field reflected on top lessons from 2024 and shared forward-looking insights for 2025. 

Moderated by Chidera Amuta, marketing manager at Vendorcredit, the panel included Chinedu Otutu, software engineer at Greenplaces, Adanne Anene, product lead at Branch International Financial Services Temitope Orilua, founder of Digital Business Nigeria, and Gerald Konwea, founder of Spottr.

These experts dissected the year’s major technological advancements and forecasted trends that will have huge impacts in 2025.

2024: A Year of Rapid Advancements and Challenges

Adapting to Technological Growth

Chinedu Otutu started by highlighting the quick pace of technological innovation in 2024. “The swift evolution of technologies like generative AI and cloud computing has made it essential for professionals to engage in continuous learning,” he said. 

Otutu identified some challenges that need to be dealt with in the sector, including integrating new technologies with legacy systems and addressing cybersecurity threats.

“Cybersecurity has become of highest priority,” he stated, explaining how organisations must implement strong measures to protect data integrity and flexible work models to sustain productivity in remote environments. 

“Effective collaboration in virtual environments is still a challenge, but tools like Slack, Trello, and Zoom will help in ensuring team cohesion,” Otutu added.

“Refactoring codebases and upgrading software versions require both technical expertise and strategic foresight.”

To prepare for 2025, Otutu proposed a focus on resilience and adaptability. “Companies must adopt hybrid work models and invest in talent development to bridge skill gaps and retain top professionals,” he said.

AI’s Impact in the Workplace

Adanne Anene shared her observations on AI’s growing influence, especially in changing job roles. “In 2024, we’ve seen how AI can replicate tasks previously thought to require human ingenuity,” she said. 

Anene noted that roles like product management and UI/UX design are now being augmented by AI tools capable of generating designs and prototypes with simple prompts.

“Nobody is indispensable,” Anene stated, urging techies to differentiate their skillsets from what machines can replicate. She also predicted an increased demand for roles like ethical AI managers, stating, “These professionals ensure AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly. Such roles will be in high demand in the coming years.”

The Integration of Digital Ecosystems and AI in Business Solutions 

Speaking at the Techeconomy Business Series, Temitope Orilua brought up a different perspective, particularly regarding digital marketing and AI integration. “Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have completely altered how we interact with information and technology,” he said, noting Google’s shift toward providing summarised search results as a direct response to AI competition.

“Google’s shift to providing summarised results shows how traditional systems are adapting to customer demands for direct, instant answers.”

Orilua advised tech professionals to prioritise adaptability. “Unlearning and relearning will be the mantra for 2025,” he asserted. 

He also anticipated that AI integration would greatly impact financial transactions. “We’re heading towards a time where users will chat with their banking apps like they would with ChatGPT, making processes seamless and intuitive. That’s where we’re heading in 2025.”

Consumer Experiences

Gerald Konwea focused on innovations that improve user experiences. Speaking about Spottr, his consumer-focused platform, he said, “Our goal is to connect users with authentic products and reliable sources efficiently.” 

He explained how Spottr leverages blockchain technology to fight counterfeit goods while also providing real-time price comparisons.

Konwea predicted that blockchain and cryptocurrency adoption will grow significantly in 2025, driven by political endorsements and market demand. “Cryptocurrency payments will become mainstream, and blockchain solutions will enhance transparency across industries,” he said.

“Techies who can merge technical skills with an understanding of environmental and social governance will be invaluable”

Key Lessons from 2024

The panel identified the following critical lessons for tech professionals:

1. Continuous Learning Is Non-Negotiable
   “The pace of innovation means staying stagnant is not an option,” Otutu said. He encouraged professionals to specialise in emerging fields like advanced cryptography and machine learning.
2. AI Requires Ethical Oversight
   “As AI tools become more powerful, ethical considerations will become top priority,” Anene noted.
3. Flexibility Is Essential
   Orilua stressed the need for adaptability. “Professionals must be open to unlearning outdated methods and adopting new ones,” he said.
4. Skill Development Must Be Prioritised
   Konwea emphasised the importance of bridging the skill gap. “Upskilling and reskilling are essential for staying competitive in this evolving industry,” he said.

Projections for 2025

The discussion concluded with predictions for 2025:

• Increased AI Integration
  Orilua forecasted that generative AI would play a very important role in automation and customer interaction, particularly in finance and e-commerce.
• Anene predicted that ethical AI managers will be in high demand in the coming years.
• Growth in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
  Konwea highlighted the prospect for blockchain to completely change sectors like supply chain and finance, with cryptocurrency becoming a preferred payment method.
• Sustainability as a Focus
  Otutu predicted a rise in tech solutions addressing environmental challenges. “Sustainable technologies will not just be a trend but a necessity,” he asserted.

The insights from the Techeconomy Business Series stress the need for resilience, adaptability, and innovation in catching up with the fast-evolving tech industry. 

2025 is here, and tech professionals must not be left out. Continuous learning, prioritising ethical AI practices, and developing solutions that address global challenges must be the focus.

The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector has completely changed the way businesses deliver services. 

During the Techeconomy Business Series session titled “Major Lessons for Techies in Building Resilient, Customer-Centric Financial Solutions in an AI-Driven World”, experts shared their experiences and insights on how to innovate and maintain resilience while meeting customer needs.

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Defining Resilience in Financial Solutions

Peter Kwakpovwe, founder of Draco Intelligence Ltd UK, broke down the concept of resilience in financial solutions. He stated, “Resiliency in financial solutions is the ability of the system to recover from shock, attack, or disruption, ensuring delivery and usage by customers.” 

He noted that resilience goes beyond simply fixing problems; it requires proactively creating systems that withstand disruptions.

Kwakpovwe shared a real-world example from his career: “We developed an AI-powered digital lending platform aimed at ease of banking, lending, and credit rating for customers. However, we faced challenges like political unrest and economic instability. To overcome these, we built an advanced anomaly detection algorithm to flag fraudulent transactions, an automated failover system, and a robust recovery and backup system.”

These measures ensured the platform could withstand disruptions and continue serving customers efficiently. According to him, “This reaffirmed my belief in AI-driven initiatives within the financial landscape.”

Ethical AI and Balancing Customer Needs

Ayodeji Ogunmola, director of Product Management at Northsnow Ltd UK, spoke on balancing rapid AI innovation with customer expectations. He noted, “The first thing customers want from financial institutions is to have their problems solved. AI brings simplicity to this process, but ethical considerations and transparency are important.”

Ogunmola highlighted two major issues:

1. “How ethical can the AI go?”
2. “Are customers trusting enough to allow AI integration into financial institutions?”

He explained the importance of defining what aspects of financial transactions are handled by AI versus humans. “We’ve seen human errors in resolving issues, but AI can bridge this gap, especially in interactions like chatbots that offer faster service.”

However, he also stressed the need for transparency: “Businesses must inform customers about what AI can and cannot do to build trust.”

Building Trust in AI: Transparency, Ethics, and Customer-Centricity are Key

On building trust in AI-driven financial systems, Moniade Adeniyi, product innovation and business growth strategist at Northsnow Limited, stressed the importance of transparency, fairness, and customer-centricity in AI solutions. 

He stated, “When you’re building an AI solution, it should be clearly explained how the AI system works. Customers need to feel safe and more confident about using the solution.”

Adeniyi also highlighted the need for ethical considerations, urging financial institutions to ensure that AI systems are unbiased. He said, “A financial institution must make sure that AI systems are fair and they don’t favour or harm any group of people.”

Personalised Financial Services

Ogunleye Oluwatobiloba, a data analyst with a fintech background, delved into how AI enhances customer experiences. “AI plays a huge role in delivering personalised financial services by leveraging data-driven insights,” he said.

He outlined key applications of AI:

• Customer Segmentation: “AI analyses customer data, such as transaction history and credit behaviour, to create detailed profiles.”
• Tailored Recommendations: “AI-powered engines suggest financial products like loans or investment options based on individual goals.”
• Chatbots and Virtual Assistants: “These tools, like UBA’s ‘Leo’, offer 24/7 support, handle transactions, and reduce the workload on human staff.”
• Fraud Detection and Prevention: “AI monitors user behaviour for anomalies, flags potential fraud, and notifies users immediately.”

Mitigating Risk with AI

The speakers collectively agreed that risk mitigation is an essential component of resilient fintech solutions. Kwakpovwe mentioned, “AI helps businesses holistically understand risk landscapes and develop de-risking strategies.”

Ogunmola added that iterative feedback and customer research are essential: “AI gathers data, analyses usage patterns, and helps businesses improve their offerings.” This aligns with the overarching goal of resilience—adapting to challenges while maintaining seamless customer experiences.

AI’s prospects in the financial sector are broad but require careful integration. Ogunleye said, “AI’s strength lies in its ability to personalise, automate, and innovate while addressing individual customer needs.” However, ethical considerations, transparency, and robust systems are essential to fostering trust and ensuring resilience.

The panel emphasised the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, with Kwakpovwe noting, “You need a strong, high-risk-skinned team to navigate the complexities of AI-driven solutions.”

Building Customer-Centric Financial Solutions Through AI

Peter Kwakpovwe emphasised the importance of leveraging AI to enhance financial literacy and inclusion. He highlighted the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ongoing efforts to improve financial literacy through collaborations with banks and financial institutions. 

“By implementing this innovative admin solution, financial services can be customised for people who are particularly underserved and those who are in the underbanked population. But again, AI is data, data, and more data,” he said.

However, Kwakpovwe noted that while AI offers improved efficiency, fraud detection, and personalised customer services, the technology also introduces significant risks.

Adeniyi further noted the role of customer feedback in designing effective AI solutions, stating, “Every AI solution you are building should be tailored towards the customer… When you do all these things, trust is built, and they will want to use your system.”

The Dark Side: Data Privacy and Security Risks

Kwakpovwe did not mince words about the gravity of data privacy breaches, calling it the “data apocalypse.” He cited examples of data leaks in Nigeria, including breaches from major banks and the National Identity database. “The day you plug your product to AI, it automatically has access to everything you’ve had today—your data,” he warned.

To mitigate such risks, he recommended:

1. Robust Encryption: “If you build a database system and there are no strong encryptions, it’s a problem.”
2. Compliance with Data Protection Laws: He stressed the importance of adhering to regulations like GDPR and conducting regular audits.
3. Bias and Fairness Audits: Peter shared a Silicon Valley example where AI algorithms unintentionally discriminated against certain genders in loan approvals, showcasing the need for robust datasets and transparent algorithms.

Over-Reliance on AI: A Critical Pitfall

Kwakpovwe spoke on issues about the over-reliance on AI systems, which can lead to a reduced human thinking process. “Even the most intelligent people today are relying so much on AI,” he said. To address this, he suggested:

• Ensuring human oversight for key decisions
• Using AI as a support tool, not the primary driver of actions
• Investing in education and training to empower professionals with foundational skills

Technological Failures and Systemic Risks

Reflecting on a recent major banking system outage in the UK, Kwakpovwe noted the catastrophic impact of technological failures. “A core banking software issue shut down everything. It became a social media brouhaha,” he said.

To prevent such occurrences, Peter called for:

• Redundancy and Backups: “I’m a big fan of redundancy. You must have backups that have backups.”
• Incident Reporting Plans: Establishing clear protocols for managing AI system failures.

Scaling through Regulatory and Compliance Challenges

On regulatory hurdles, particularly in Nigeria and South Africa, Kwakpovwe stressed the importance of aligning AI systems with financial regulations to avoid fines and restrictions. “You must have regulatory engagement,” he said, adding that ethical AI frameworks and continuous monitoring are essential for compliance.

Adeniyi also stressed the importance of regular audits to maintain compliance and customer confidence, noting, “Regularly review the AI system to ensure they follow the law and meet high standards… This should be transparent to the customer.”

Leveraging AI to Drive Innovation in Fintech Solutions

Speaking on the importance of a systematic approach to deploying AI in financial services, Kwakpovwe said: “First off, there has to be this continuous learning of your data. AI can make decisions for you, but that shouldn’t be the final leg,” he noted. 

He called for hiring and training skilled professionals who can create and refine data models, stating, “You need over a billion scenarios… AI can help you create those scenarios, but you need someone to fine-tune and look at it also.”

Kwakpovwe emphasised the essence of closed user group testing before AI deployment. He explained: “Bring stakeholders into the room… go back to the product requirement document, tick all the boxes one by one… ensure your AI-driven product has achieved what you set out to do. When that’s done, move on to continuous improvement.”

He likened AI development to raising a child: “When you deploy it, AI starts learning on its own. It feeds on data, so regular audits and framework adjustment sessions are critical to ensure the system delivers sustainable value.”

Security and Scalability in AI Systems

The panellists highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in AI-driven systems. Pointing out the emergence of new roles such as large language model (LLM) cybersecurity experts: “These are people building systems to safeguard AI technologies. Such jobs didn’t exist five years ago, but they’re now crucial for protecting data and ensuring system integrity.”

Opportunities for AI in Africa

Addressing the future of AI in Africa, Ayodeji Ogunmola said: “There’s a lot of money in Africa that has not been harnessed yet. Voice-over AI could revolutionise financial inclusion by enabling people, especially those who aren’t tech-savvy, to access services through phone interactions. This can include account creation, KYC processes, and transactions.”

Ogunmola noted the benefits for underserved populations, such as rural farmers: “A farmer named Musa could get access to microloans because AI analyses his farming patterns and mobile data.”

AI’s Role in Fraud Detection and Improved Customer Experience

Fraud detection is an important subject when it comes to AI. Ogunleye Oluwatobiloba expatiated this: “AI can help in fraud detection and prevention by monitoring transaction patterns and reducing fraud rates, building customer trust.”

He noted additional benefits of AI, including:

• Smart payment gateways for instant, secure cross-border transactions.
• Dynamic currency conversion providing real-time rates.
• AI-driven credit scoring systems enabling microloans for customers based on their transaction histories.

AI and Human Expertise: A Synergistic Future

Countering fears of job displacement by AI, Moniade Adeniyi reassured professionals: “AI does not have a mind of its own; it resonates based on the information you provide. Professionals must train AI to respond effectively to human needs. Instead of losing jobs, we’ll be creating scenarios and guiding AI’s learning process.”

Adeniyi noted that this approach would open opportunities across sectors, urging professionals to stay proactive in adapting to the AI era.

Organisations must embrace AI responsibly, ensuring human oversight and continuous improvement. “If you follow these guidelines, you’ll create a system that works as it should—delivering value to both the organisation and its customers in a sustainable way.” This will drive innovation, inclusion, and resilience across the financial sector.

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“I’m calling on on the tech-sarvy guys. I want somebody that can come up with an innovation and say, “Obi, I have all the features plus more,” he said during an Instagram live video session monitored by TechEconomy.

Recall that Obi Cubana is also a Cofounder of New Age Mobile Concepts Ltd, a maker of New Age Power Bank, phone chargers, and other phone accessories which was relaunched in Lagos few weeks ago.

During the Instagram Live session, he said, “I’ve been wondering, all theese guys that are Tech-savvy, youngsters. I know you guys are out there millions, thousands, tens of you. But I’ve been wondering why you’ve not been able to develop a telephone, a brand of phone. Just like we have Apple, Samsung…this and that.

Captioning his post on Instagram, Obi Cubana added: “So I have this great idea……I need an African to create a smartphone for Africans….and we make it the BIGGEST thing of the decade…..yes we can!!!!”

“Why have we not been able….a black man, African, a Nigerian develop a product, affordable but has all the features like what I’m using to make this live video right now and say, ‘”This made by one of us, for all of us.

“If I see a guy that says he has the concept and wherewithal to develop a telephone, a mobile phone. A guy that says, “This has been made for us by one of us”. And then we look at it. I will sponsor the guy and bring everything that is needed.”

“And then we come up with a rugged, fanciful, beautiful and affordable phone for our people. We will support this person, market the idea, sell the phone and even use part of the proceed to do charity, to save people…to send people back to school”, he said in parts.