The agentic era is here. Is your data ready to run it?

The conversation around AI has fundamentally shifted. We have moved from discussing potential to measuring performance. The agentic era is no longer a vision, it is here.

The most competitive companies have already bridged the AI readiness gap, capturing measurable value from AI agents that can handle complex workflows with minimal human oversight.

According to Google Cloud’s 2025 ROI of AI Report, 52% of executives report they have already deployed AI agents in production. This represents a fundamental shift in how business gets done.

AI is delivering: The numbers.

For those who have built the right foundation, the ROI is tangible and fast. The report data validates the approach to focus on clear use cases that yields clear returns:

• Speed to value: 74% of executives report achieving ROI within the first year.
• Scale: 39% have already deployed more than 10 agents across their enterprise.
• Productivity: Among those reporting gains, 39% have seen productivity at least double.

These aren’t just pilots, they are production-grade engines of value.

The AI story is evolving

The story of enterprise AI has evolved. The Agentic Era is no longer a vision, we're building it. However, our discussions reveal a critical gap: while African CEOs are investing in AI, the majority face 'data readiness' challenges.

We have seen the conversation progress through three distinct stages:

1. From Models: Initially, the focus was on choice, finding the best Large Language Models (LLMs) for specific tasks.
2. To Platforms: The conversation then shifted to infrastructure, building unified systems to deliver model choice while ensuring enterprise governance, security, and cost management.
3. To Agents (Today): Now, we move beyond individual models to agentic workflows, highly customised automation that fundamentally changes core business processes.

We are witnessing a convergence. The lines between models, platforms and agents are blurring into integrated systems. This evolution creates three key advantages for the enterprise:

• Faster feedback loops: Insights from building agents immediately inform better model development.
• Unified platforms: We are moving away from isolated tools to intertwined networks of models and agents.
• New business models: Companies are creating integrated solutions, not just components.

For business leaders, this requires a shift from isolated tools to integrated ecosystems. The impact is measurable: leading organisations are no longer just using AI to route customer inquiries, they are deploying agents to resolve them end-to-end.

Across industries, the pattern is consistent: autonomous agents are now managing complete workflows that previously required human intervention.

Strategic principles for the agentic era

Successful organisations build agent capabilities progressively. They begin with AI assistance in existing workflows, move to single-purpose agents, and finally integrate multiple agents into automated business processes. This methodical approach delivers value at every stage.

Global patterns reveal three keys to value:

• Start with proven use cases. Focus on processes where autonomous decision-making creates immediate ROI, like customer service, inventory optimisation, or content personalisation. These wins build organisational confidence required for broader deployment.
• Scale with purpose. Stop pursuing once-off experiments. Treat agent deployment as a strategic capability, deploying systematically to move from “pilot” to “production” faster.
• Invest in the capability, not just the technology. Technology is just the starting point, but data governance and internal expertise is the fuel. Establish the frameworks and feedback loops that turn agent performance into business advantage.

Transforming core business functions

The impact of AI agents moves beyond simple automation to measurable business performance.

• In Marketing: Teams are seeing 32% quicker editing and 46% faster creation, shifting focus from execution to strategy.
• In Customer Service: 63% of executives report improved CX. Agents now resolve complex inquiries end-to-end, saving 120 seconds per contact and generating tangible revenue.
• In Security: Agents are delivering a 70% reduction in breach risk and responding to threats 50% faster.

Your path to AI readiness

The opportunity for early adoption advantages remains strong. Organisations that act strategically now will establish operational advantages that compound over time.

As agents become widespread, these advantages create lasting competitive differentiation. Real-world AI success isn't hype. It's built on a mature, AI-ready data foundation.

For leaders ready to capture the agent advantage, the path forward is clear:

1. Begin with high-value use cases that deliver measurable results.
2. Secure executive sponsorship for systematic deployment.
3. Build organisational capability and data governance to scale.

The agentic era isn't coming, it's here. The question isn't whether AI agents will reshape business operations, but whether your organisation will lead that change or follow it.

Want to learn more about how organisations are approaching agentic AI? Download the ROI of AI 2025 Report.