88% of Nigerians Use AI for Shopping, Trust Issues Persist

A study conducted by Visa in collaboration with Wakefield Research indicates that 88% of consumers in Nigeria utilize AI tools to assist in shopping. The study shows that 54% of respondents use AI for price comparisons, 53% for gift ideas, and 56% to check product reviews.

Despite the positive reception of AI, with 97% feeling that AI-powered tools make online shopping faster and easier, there remains a significant level of caution among consumers. Specifically, 34% of participants express distrust in AI agents completing transactions.

The study also reveals that 76% of consumers believe AI has made it easier to recognize scams, while 89% think AI will play a critical role in protecting consumers from fraud in the future. The rise of social commerce in Nigeria is evident, with 83% of consumers purchasing products directly from social media platforms.

However, 51% report experiencing financial scams in the past year, with 57% encountering scams on social media platforms and online marketplaces.