Is Excel Still Relevant in the Era of Power BI and Python?

As a business advisor for small organizations, a big part of my role is helping clients identify pivot opportunities that make their operations more efficient, data-driven, and competitive.

Recently, I had an interesting conversation with one of my clients — a small NGO with fewer than 10 staff members — that is looking to upgrade its tools, software, and hardware to attract better partnerships. During our discussion, they asked a familiar question:

“Excel feels outdated. Should we move to something more advanced — like Power BI or Python — for our analysis and reporting needs?”

Their question inspired this article. Should small enterprises and organizations really be shifting toward advanced analytics tools? And do those tools make sense in every context?

The Technology Leap — And the Misconception

It’s true that we’re living in a remarkable era of technological advancement. Tools like Power BI and Python have transformed how large organizations process data — handling massive datasets, generating real-time insights, and even powering machine learning models.

But when it comes to small organizations, the key question isn’t _what’s the most advanced tool available? _It’s what’s the most appropriate one?

Efficiency isn’t only about processing speed or automation — it’s also about applicability and accessibility.

The Case for Simplicity: David and Mary

Take David, a primary school teacher in rural Kenya. Every term, he records student attendance, exam scores, and fee payments. A Power BI dashboard might look impressive, but what David really needs is something simple and reliable — something his colleagues can use without special training.

Excel gives him exactly that: a familiar tool where he can enter data, apply formulas, and quickly visualize performance trends. For David, Excel isn’t outdated — it’s practical.

Now consider Mary, who runs a small bakery in her neighborhood. She bakes bread and cakes daily and sells to walk-in customers. Mary uses Excel to track sales, calculate profits, and even forecast weekend demand. Would it make sense for her to pay for Power BI licenses or hire a Python developer? Not really.

Excel gives Mary just enough analytical power to make data-informed decisions while keeping her costs low.

For people like David and Mary — and for teachers, small business owners, and NGOs — Excel remains the everyday workhorse.

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Why Excel Still Dominates in Sub-Saharan Africa
Across Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa, here is what the data is pointing towards:

1. Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) dominate Kenya’s economy: According to the Kenya MSE Tracker and MSME reports, firms with 1–9 employees make up the majority of businesses. Many of these organizations have limited budgets and technical capacity — conditions where spreadsheets are the natural default.

2. Technology adoption remains basic: The Africa MSME Pulse survey shows that while MSMEs are embracing digital tools, their use often focuses on simple functions such as mobile payments, record-keeping, and communication — not complex analytics.

3. Informality remains high: Millions of micro and small enterprises in Kenya operate informally, using low-cost and familiar tools like paper ledgers, basic accounting apps, and Excel spreadsheets.

4. Infrastructure challenges persist:Inconsistent internet, limited power, and low IT infrastructure — especially in rural areas — make cloud-based tools like Power BI or Python workflows difficult to sustain.

5. Skills gaps are a major barrier: Digital transformation initiatives across Africa consistently cite training and upskilling as top SME needs. Many organizations simply lack the technical expertise to deploy and maintain advanced analytics systems.

Put together, these realities explain why Excel continues to be the most accessible, affordable, and effective option for millions of small organizations. The Right Tool for the Right Context.

So, is Excel still relevant in the age of Power BI and Python?
Absolutely — but the more important question is: which tool works best for your context?

a) For large-scale, complex, and real-time analytics, Power BI and Python are unmatched.

b) For small enterprises, NGOs, schools, and community organizations, Excel remains cost-friendly, familiar, and highly practical for everyday “light analysis.”

In fact, Excel can also serve as a stepping stone toward advanced analytics. For example, a nonprofit working with farmers might collect field data in Excel spreadsheets before importing it into Power BI or Python for deeper analysis.

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Conclusion

Excel is far from obsolete or irelevant — it’s contextually powerful.

In an era where technology keeps evolving, Excel stands out not because it’s the newest tool — but because it’s the most relevant tool for many.

It empowers organizations that may not have access to high-end analytics to still make sense of their data, track performance, and make informed decisions.

References
Africa MSME Pulse 2024 Report: "Africa MSME Pulse 2024 Report - GeoPoll" https://www.geopoll.com/blog/africa-msme-pulse-2024/

Image credit
hcmagazine.com