– To quicken the region’s advancement in energy technology

Lagos — Schneider Electric, a worldwide leader in energy technology, is introducing its NExT initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the goal of speeding up its development as the region’s top energy technology collaborator.

The initiative aims to utilize Schneider Electric’s expertise in electrical systems, automation, and digital transformation to assist clients and collaborators in navigating an evolving energy and technological environment.

Nontu Mkhize, Offer Marketing Manager at Power Services and Industry for Sub-Saharan Africa, states that NExT represents the company’s approach to addressing major trends transforming global and African markets, including electrification, digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), and the increasing need for robust and effective infrastructure.

Via the localized initiative, Schneider Electric will assist partners, final users, and channel networks in Sub-Saharan Africa in getting ready for “what lies ahead” in the energy and industrial technology sectors.

“NExT is fundamentally our approach to addressing the question: what lies ahead for Schneider Electric, and what implications does this hold for our stakeholders? It involves redefining our identity as an energy technology partner, and demonstrating to customers and partners what they can anticipate from us as the market progresses, especially with the growth of AI-powered data centers, digital solutions, and sophisticated automation,” explains Mkhize.

Addressing Africa’s needs

She states that the NExT program connects Schneider Electric’s global strategy with the unique requirements of African markets, which frequently encounter issues such as outdated infrastructure, increasing energy demand, and the necessity for digital upgrades.

“We now possess the ability to digitize, automate, and electrify within every key sector, including homes, structures, data centers, manufacturing, and infrastructure. These five areas correspond to the three core principles—digitize, automate, and electrify—that form the foundation of the NExT initiative and directly relate to the services and solutions we offer,” states Mkhize.

She points out that NExT also highlights Schneider Electric’s three strategic differentiators:

  • Technology leadership – providing AI-driven platforms, software-based systems, and advanced energy and industrial intelligence solutions.
  • Customer differentiation– enhancing the network of partners, system integrators, distributors, and final users for Schneider Electric by improving digital customer interactions and offering customized services.
  • Cost competitiveness– enhancing efficiency, expandability, and velocity by means of streamlined operational frameworks and localized implementation.

These key advantages shape how Schneider Electric assists its clients, ensuring the company stays ahead of the competition, fosters innovation, and maintains a strong focus on customer needs in all its operations.

Key component of NExT

The Data Cube, Schneider Electric’s approach to integrating corporate, operational, on-site, and external data to provide enhanced energy and industrial insights, plays a vital role in the NExT initiative.

“This approach integrates AVEVA technology, digital twins, and AI to enhance, manage, and integrate systems throughout the entire life cycle. This leads to improved insights, more robust operations, and more intelligent decision-making for our clients,” states Mkhize.

NExT also signifies the company’s transition from EcoStruxure as an open architecture to EcoStruxure Energy Intelligence, an AI-driven platform aimed at building intelligent environments and providing real-time operational insight.

Mkhize highlights that EcoStruxure’s transformation into an AI-driven platform represents a major breakthrough, preparing Schneider Electric’s clients for the future of energy and industrial automation.

Creating tangible value

Nevertheless, she highlights that NExT is not solely intended for Schneider Electric’s internal change but also aims to deliver measurable benefits for its external partners.

It is crucial to highlight that NExT is available to all members of our ecosystem, such as our partners, end-users, distributors, and system integrators. It focuses on demonstrating how we are progressing and how this progress directly advantages them.

Mkhize states that by connecting global innovation with local market requirements, the company seeks to aid Africa’s shift toward more sustainable, efficient, and digitally advanced energy systems.

“Our goal is to promote energy technology, and NExT provides us with the structure to achieve this with clear direction, intent, and influence, collaborating with our partners throughout the region,” she concludes.