Industry Expert Urge African Firms to Strengthen Data‑Driven Product Development Practices

By Tosin Clegg

As organizations across Africa intensify efforts to modernize operations and scale digital platforms, technology delivery specialist Adetoyese Emmanuel Olajide has called for a fundamental shift toward data-driven product development supported by modern Agile delivery frameworks, warning that reliance on outdated software development models continues to undermine innovation and market responsiveness.

Olajide examined structural weaknesses in how many organizations design, build, and manage digital products, noting that the persistent failure to integrate analytics into product strategy remains one of the most significant barriers to efficiency, scalability, and long-term competitiveness across the continent’s digital economy.

“Many organizations are still operating within rigid, traditional development structures that do not allow for rapid adaptation,” he said. “In today’s digital economy, where user expectations evolve constantly, such systems are not just inefficient — they are a liability.”
He noted that the transition to Agile delivery frameworks, particularly Scrum, is no longer a theoretical discussion but a practical necessity for organizations seeking to remain relevant in fast-changing markets.
According to him, Agile delivery allows teams to break complex projects into iterative cycles, ensuring that products are continuously refined using real-time user data and system performance metrics.
“Product development must be treated as a continuous, data-informed process,” Olajide stated. “Every iteration should be guided by insights — what users are doing, how systems are performing, and where improvements are needed. Without that feedback loop, organizations are essentially building in the dark.”

Olajide pointed to the increasing complexity of modern digital ecosystems — spanning cloud infrastructure, mobile applications, and software-as-a-service platforms — as a key reason data integration has become indispensable.
“Modern digital systems are never truly finished,” he said. “They evolve. And the only way to manage that evolution effectively is through structured delivery models powered by real-time data and clear performance indicators”
Drawing from his professional experience in technology delivery and Agile product environments, Olajide highlighted the importance of cross-functional coordination in achieving successful digital outcomes.
“Alignment is critical,” he noted. “You cannot have engineering working in isolation from business goals or user needs. Agile creates a framework where collaboration is not optional — it is embedded in the process.”

He further emphasized backlog prioritization, stakeholder engagement, and workflow transparency as critical components of effective software delivery, noting that organizations that invest in these processes are better positioned to release digital products efficiently while maintaining system reliability and performance.
“Data-driven decision-making must extend beyond product features,” Olajide added. “It should inform how teams prioritize tasks, allocate resources, and evaluate success. That is what separates high-performing organizations from the rest.”
Beyond processes and tools, Olajide underscored the need for continuous improvement within technology teams, noting that mentoring, skills development, and structured Agile transformation initiatives are essential to building resilient digital cultures.

“Technology alone is not enough,” he said. “You need people who understand how to use data, interpret insights, and apply them within structured delivery frameworks. That combination is what drives real transformation.”
With sectors such as finance, insurance, healthcare, and education becoming increasingly dependent on digital platforms, analysts note that organizations must rethink their approach to product development or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.
“The future of digital innovation will be defined by how well organizations can adapt,” Olajide concluded. “Those who embed data into their decision-making processes and embrace Agile delivery will not only keep pace — they will set the pace.”