Uche Cecil Izuora
Schneider Electric has identified patronage and circulation of substandard electrical equipment and appliances as responsible for sector’s accidents and damage.
The global energy firm therefore advised that the adoption of high-quality electrical technologies across West Africa will go a long way in reducing the growing risk of electrical failures, accidents and infrastructure damage linked to substandard components.
The Country President of Schneider Electric West Africa, Ajibola Akindele, while stressing this point, said that the integrity of electrical infrastructure must become a non-negotiable priority as the region experiences rapid urban and industrial growth.
Akindele, said that West Africa is witnessing increasing development, from high-rise commercial buildings in Lagos to industrial factories in Ghana and rural electrification projects across the region, making the need for safe and reliable electrical systems more urgent.
According to him, standardisation and the use of certified electrical components are central to building resilient systems capable of withstanding operational stress such as power surges, high temperatures and humidity common in the region.
“Using products that meet certified safety, performance and environmental benchmarks ensures systems remain safe for people, interoperable and reliable for both new installations and retrofit projects,” he said.
Akindele warned that the widespread circulation of low-quality or unverified electrical products across many markets continues to pose a serious safety threat. “These products often imitate reputable brands but lack the engineering quality, rigorous testing and compliance certifications required to ensure safety under real operating conditions,” he noted.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in a report said Nigeria recorded 757 electricity-related accidents between 2021 and 2024, resulting in 451 fatalities and 351 injuries. Many of these incidents are linked to factors such as snapped wires, unauthorised connections, vandalism and unsafe installations.
Electrical faults have also been identified as a contributor to frequent market fires in Lagos, where emergency agencies recorded about 1,000 fire incidents in the first half of 2025, resulting in at least 62 deaths. Beyond safety concerns, unreliable electricity continues to impose significant economic costs. Nigeria is estimated to lose about $26bn annually due to unreliable power supply, excluding the additional expenses incurred from off-grid fuel consumption.
Akindele noted that modern electrical projects typically involve multiple stakeholders, including consultants, contractors, panel builders, installers and regulators, all of whom play critical roles in ensuring system reliability. He warned that the use of low-quality components at any stage of the value chain could lead to system failures, fires and costly maintenance.
“In some cases, contractors unknowingly purchase lower-quality components because they are cheaper or easier to source. Sometimes genuine and substandard parts are mixed together, which significantly increases safety risks,” he said.
To address these challenges, Schneider Electric said it is investing in product quality, technical training and awareness programmes across the electrical value chain. The company also encourages contractors and consultants to source components directly from original equipment manufacturers or certified distributors to ensure authenticity.
According to Akindele, genuine products typically come with warranties, technical support and traceability systems such as barcodes or QR codes that allow users to verify their authenticity. He added that Schneider Electric, which has operated globally for more than 180 years, subjects its products to rigorous testing and works closely with local standards bodies to ensure equipment performs reliably under West African conditions.
Akindele also called on regulators and governments to strengthen enforcement of electrical safety standards and intensify efforts to tackle the proliferation of counterfeit electrical products on the market. He urged businesses and homeowners to prioritise certified components even if they come at a higher initial cost, noting that the long-term financial and safety consequences of electrical failures are far greater.
According to him, stronger collaboration among manufacturers, regulators, contractors and end users will be critical to building safer and more resilient electrical systems across West Africa.