By Patricia Amogu

Dr Fakunle Aremu, Senior Agribusiness and Policy Advisor, has urged Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to profitably adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to remain competitive and relevant in the current business landscape.

Aremu, who specialises in agricultural value chain development and food systems, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He noted that AI is no longer the preserve of large corporations and can be integrated into small businesses in simple, practical ways.

He, however, pointed out that a major challenge for MSMEs was the perception that they lacked the technical expertise or budget for AI.

“MSMEs do not need to be tech wizards or have a Silicon Valley-sized budget to start using AI,” he said.

According to him, small businesses can avoid hiring expensive data scientists by using affordable off-the-shelf tools such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Power BI, or engaging freelance experts.

Aremu said the high cost of custom AI could be reduced by starting small with cloud-based tools that offer pay-as-you-go or monthly plans, with a focus on clear return on investment.

He advised businesses to first prioritise organising and digitising their data, noting that clean and structured information was crucial for accurate AI results.

“AI runs on data, and for many MSMEs, this data can be a mess if not properly handled,” he said.

The expert also addressed the challenge of employee resistance to change, urging business owners to communicate early and often about AI’s role as a tool to enhance work, not replace jobs.

“Showcasing AI as a tool that reduces work burdens and makes jobs easier and more efficient can help ease concerns.

“For example, a retail company can experience a 15 per cent increase in orders by piloting a simple AI solution for personalised product offers,” he said.

Aremu recommended piloting AI with a focused use case and setting clear, measurable goals, allowing MSMEs to “start where they are, use what they have, and just get started” without trying to be perfect.

“I recommend a start-small, think-big approach. This reduces risk, builds internal confidence and allows the team to learn how AI can be integrated into their operations,” he said. (NAN) 

Edited by Tosin Kolade