Vincent Ezenagu
As manufacturers and industrial operators in West Africa face growing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and manage rising energy costs, Schneider Electric has says it has become increasingly important to strengthen technical capability to improving industrial competitiveness in the region.
Speaking during a training programme which brought together industry leaders, Country President of Schneider Electric West Africa, Ajibola Akindele, said industrial systems are becoming increasingly connected, data-driven, and efficiency-focused, making technical knowledge more important for long-term industrial growth.
“Industrial systems are becoming more connected, more data-driven, and more efficiency-focused. Developing local engineering capability is critical if West Africa wants to build industries that are competitive, resilient, and prepared for the future,” Akindele said.
He noted that while discussions around industrial growth in Africa often focus on power generation, financing, and infrastructure development, operational efficiency at the equipment level is becoming equally important.
Electric motor systems play a central role in industrial operations, powering pumps, compressors, conveyor systems, refrigeration units, ventilation infrastructure, and other production processes. Industry stakeholders say poor motor performance can result in significant energy losses, increased downtime, and higher operating costs over time.
During the training, participating engineers were introduced to motor protection principles, fault prevention systems, real-time diagnostics, intelligent control systems, digital monitoring technologies, and industrial integration tools increasingly used in modern industrial operations.
The company said better-managed motor systems can improve energy efficiency, reduce avoidable downtime, extend equipment lifespan, and support more reliable industrial operations across sectors including manufacturing, utilities, and infrastructure.
The emphasis on technical capability comes as governments across West Africa intensify efforts to strengthen industrialisation and expand manufacturing output.
Nigeria’s National Industrial Policy aims to increase manufacturing’s contribution to gross domestic product to between 20 and 25 per cent by 2030, although the sector currently contributes less than 10 per cent to GDP.