In a world captivated by artificial intelligence, the simple pocket calculator is staging a quiet but formidable comeback. While AI chatbots sometimes falter on basic arithmetic, these humble devices offer unwavering accuracy, driving millions of annual sales for Japanese giant Casio and opening new opportunities in markets like Nigeria.
The Unshakeable Reliability of a Classic Tool
Casio executive Tomoaki Sato highlighted the calculator's core strength: it never hallucinates and always provides the correct answer. This dependability stands in stark contrast to even the most advanced AI models, which, despite achieving gold-level scores at the 2024 International Mathematical Olympiad, can still stumble on simple sums.
However, Sato acknowledged the shifting landscape. The market for personal calculators in business is undeniably declining as smartphones and web browsers handle everyday calculations. Yet, this decline is countered by robust growth elsewhere.
Affordability and Access: A Niche in Developing Economies
For regions like Africa, and specifically Nigeria, calculators present distinct advantages. They are more affordable than smartphones and can run on batteries or solar power, a critical factor for schools in areas with unreliable electricity or limited budgets. Casio identifies this as a key potential growth area.
Beyond pure functionality, there's a tactile appeal. Users like Thitinan Suntisubpool, a shop owner in Bangkok, praise the durability and convenience of physical calculators for quick, clear transactions that avoid language barriers.
Production Persists as Market Evolves
At a Casio factory in Thailand, assembly lines continue to hum. General manager Ryohei Saito notes that calculators are "optimised tools" focused on necessary functions, remaining in demand where smartphone connectivity is not universal.
The sales figures tell a compelling story. In the financial year ending March 2025, Casio sold 39 million general and scientific calculators across roughly 100 countries. While this is down from 45 million in 2019-20, it represents a significant recovery from the 31 million sold in the pandemic's immediate aftermath.
The journey from Casio's first compact all-electric calculator in 1957 to today's devices underscores a history of mechanical calculation, recently highlighted by the controversial auction of the 1642 "La Pascaline," considered an early attempt to substitute the human mind with a machine.
The Future: Coexistence, Not Replacement
While AI continues its rapid advance, experts like IMO president Gregor Dolinar believe physical calculators will "slowly disappear," especially among students who use phones for everything. Yet, for millions of students, professionals, and traders in Nigeria and similar markets, the calculator's blend of low cost, reliability, and independence from infrastructure ensures it remains an indispensable tool, proving that in the race against AI, perfect simplicity often wins.
