Africa’s Digital Expansion Requires Smarter Energy Infrastructure, Says Schneider

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Schneider Electric has said Africa’s growing digital economy will depend heavily on the continent’s ability to develop smarter and more resilient energy infrastructure capable of supporting the rapid expansion of edge computing, artificial intelligence and data-driven services.

The company made the call in an opinion piece by Steven Santini, Vice President for Secure Power, Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric, where he argued that while edge computing is becoming increasingly important to Africa’s digital transformation, unreliable power infrastructure remains one of the continent’s biggest barriers to large-scale deployment.

According to Santini, edge computing is gaining momentum across Africa as governments and businesses invest more heavily in communications networks and digital infrastructure to support economic growth and industrial modernisation.

He noted that industries such as mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, and other resource-heavy sectors are increasingly adopting edge technologies to process data in real time, particularly in remote environments where connectivity to centralised data centres is often weak or inconsistent.
Santini said the rise of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things applications is also accelerating demand for edge infrastructure because organisations require systems capable of processing data closer to where it is generated.

He explained that deploying machine learning models at the edge can improve response times, reduce latency and minimise operational risks, especially in regions with unstable internet connectivity.
The Schneider Electric executive added that Africa is becoming increasingly attractive to global investors seeking opportunities in AI, digital services and data centre infrastructure.
He cited projections showing that Africa’s data centre capacity could expand from about 0.4 gigawatts currently to between 1.5 gigawatts and 2.2 gigawatts by 2030, with the market expected to record annual growth of more than 14 per cent.

Countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt are expected to lead the continent’s digital infrastructure expansion.

Despite the opportunities, Santini warned that Africa’s energy limitations continue to threaten the growth of edge computing and broader digital transformation initiatives.
He noted that many rural and underserved communities still lack access to stable electricity, a challenge that directly affects digital infrastructure deployment since edge systems are often installed in locations where grid reliability is weakest.

According to him, frequent power outages, voltage fluctuations and limited electricity coverage increase operational costs, shorten equipment lifespan and complicate the maintenance of IT infrastructure.
To address these challenges, Santini called for greater investment in modern energy management systems and decentralised power solutions capable of supporting digital operations in remote areas.
He highlighted technologies such as high-efficiency uninterruptible power supply systems, energy storage solutions, intelligent cooling systems and renewable-powered microgrids as critical components for Africa’s future edge ecosystem.

Santini said the growing shift toward decentralised energy generation reflects a broader trend in which organisations are increasingly adopting “bring your own power” strategies by investing in onsite energy generation and storage to reduce dependence on unreliable national grids
He added that renewable-powered microgrids could provide a scalable and sustainable foundation for edge computing deployments, particularly in industrial and off-grid environments.
The company also stressed the importance of collaboration between governments, private sector players and technology providers to ensure that digital infrastructure projects align with national development priorities.

According to Santini, the success of edge computing in Africa will depend on strong partnerships that combine expertise in operational technology, information technology, energy systems and local service delivery.

He said Africa’s power challenges could ultimately become an opportunity for the continent to build a more resilient and decentralised digital ecosystem driven by renewable energy and integrated technology solutions.