TeKnowledge, a global technology services company that specialises in AI-driven solutions, customer experience (CX), and cybersecurity, has launched its AI-First Expert Technology Services in Nigeria. The announcement was made at the TeKnowledge Nigeria CxO Summit 2025, held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. The event also marked the unveiling of TeKnowledge’s renewed brand identity to re-emphasise the company’s global evolution and expanded commitment to enterprise innovation across Africa.
The summit brought together public and private sector leaders, technology experts, and strategic partners to celebrate TeKnowledge’s seven years of operations in Nigeria and to explore the next phase of technology-driven transformation in the region.
Opening the event, Olugbolahan Olusanya, Growth and Sales Director for Africa, highlighted the company’s growing footprint in Africa. Olugbolahan highlighted TeKnowledge’s commitment to inclusivity. We are equally committed to youth development, and it’s rewarding to see that commitment recognised through multiple awards as one of Africa’s most innovative tech platforms and best places to work,” he said
The keynote address was delivered by Aileen Allkins, President and CEO of TeKnowledge, who talked about the company’s journey to deliver accessible, impactful, and sustainable AI solutions tailored to African enterprises. Launched in 2010, TeKnowledge expanded across Europe and Asia before it launched its Nigerian operations in 2018. “When TeKnowledge launched its Nigerian operations in 2018 with just 200 employees, it was never about headcount. Today, we are 2,000 strong, but we see a future with up to 8,000 professionals across Nigeria and the continent,” Allkins said. Allkins also shared that the company’s intention to grow its presence beyond Lagos, with additional hubs planned across Africa, building on existing operations in Rwanda and exploring opportunities in other countries.
“Through our partnership with Microsoft, the company has trained over 7,000 Nigerians in AI skills, including more than 1,000 women through targeted digital programs,” Allkins said. She noted that the new AI-First model is rooted in people, trust, and measurable progress.
At the core of TeKnowledge’s mission is its AI-first framework, which puts together customer experience, cybersecurity, and productivity tools into solutions tailored for emerging markets. It’s about putting AI at the centre of innovation, so organisations can be faster, smarter, and more responsive in the digital world we now live in. To achieve this anticipated digital transformation, the country must understand the true essence of AI, have an AI-first mindset and train people to be savvy in these skills.
Nidal Abou-Ltaif, Chief Revenue and Transformation Officer, delivered a session on Intent in Practice: An AI-First Mindset. He highlighted that an AI-first mindset was a commitment to reimagine processes, to question traditional approaches, and to embed intelligence at every layer of decision-making. “It means treating data as a strategic asset, and automation as a driver of human potential, not its replacement. Putting this intent into practice demands structure and skills,” he said.
Nigeria’s legacy of transformation from traditional trade systems and Nollywood to fintech and AI, and commended local businesses for embracing innovation with focus and urgency. He also acknowledged the Nigerian government’s role in promoting AI through policy frameworks such as the National AI Strategy and the 3MTT programme aimed at equipping three million Nigerians with in-demand digital skills by 2027.
Cybersecurity took centre stage during the panel session titled Navigating the Evolving Threat Landscape hosted by Gabriel Portnoy, Executive Advisor, Cybersecurity. The other speakers on the panel were Mahmood Lockhat, Chief Technology Officer, Emmanuel Okoraji, Head of Cyber Intelligence, First Bank, and Olutimileyin Oyesanya, President, ISC2 Nigeria Chapter. The discussion explored how AI is reshaping cyber defence, enabling real-time threat detection and response, and strengthening organisational resilience and customer trust.
TeKnowledge’s strong partnerships were also spotlighted during the summit. Through its partnership with First Bank, in 3 years the company has upskilled more than 450 of its workers. Today, TeKnowledge works with over 40 Nigerian organisations, providing services across skilling, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.
With its Security Operations Centre based in Nigeria, TeKnowledge continues to deliver award-winning cybersecurity solutions, offering proactive defence and scalable systems to meet evolving threats across the continent.
The summit concluded with a call for stronger cross-sector collaboration to address structural challenges in AI adoption, such as fragmented infrastructure and talent gaps. TeKnowledge reaffirmed its dedication to train people, build ethical, scalable, and locally relevant AI-first solutions that support national development and enterprise growth.
