Founder of HR Expo Africa, Erefe Coker, has said that productivity in today’s world is measured by value creation, unlike in times past.

Speaking at the HR Expo Africa Work Festival 2026 in Lagos, she observed that productivity is no longer measured by the number of hours spent on a task.

Themed ‘Redefining productivity in the age of AI and Analytics,’ she said that most tasks in today’s world could be augmented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ethics.

Stating that there is a need to safeguard transparency and safety, Coker said that while technology continues to drive change, it is still people who will harness its true potential.

Over the years, she has observed that HR Expo Africa has hosted thousands of participants and hundreds of stellar speakers who have shaped critical conversations on employee engagement, workforce wellbeing, recruitment innovation, and AI-powered workplaces.

Coker added, “HR is the people-driven function within an organisation. We are future-driven. Today, we are in the future of work we spoke about ten years ago.”

On his part, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, identified coaching as a prerequisite for achieving productivity in the workplace.

He suggested that, despite Nigerians working harder but producing less, coaching must be embedded in managerial tasks and that team leads and supervisors be equipped with foundational skills.

To him: “Coaching changes the connotation of what success is. Coaching is not training. Training has been bastardised, and many of the things learnt are never used.”

On her part, Regional Director, West and Central Africa, at ALX Africa, Ruby Igwe called for a fundamental shift in how productivity is defined and measured in the age of AI and analytics.

She outlined a three-part framework for driving productivity, comprising capability, access, and application. To her, alignment across these areas directly affects organisational performance, speed, and outcomes.

She added: “Saying today’s productivity is determined by how effectively organisations combine human capability with intelligent systems, the future of work is already here. The organisations that align capability, access, and application with speed and precision will define productivity across Africa.”

She also commended Coker for convening a platform that continues to shape the future of work across Africa.