Schneider Electric has been awarded the Gender Leader Award at this year’s Africa CEO Forum, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in recognition of its commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. The award is part of the Africa CEO Forum’s larger objective to provide practical, innovative solutions that empower African businesses and promote sustainable, inclusive development.
The 2025 edition of the award spotlights Schneider Electric’s efforts in cultivating a workplace culture that values and advances diversity across its African footprint. Women currently lead the company’s operations in French-speaking Africa, with a woman also set to assume leadership for English-speaking Africa from 1 June — reflecting Schneider Electric’s strong emphasis on gender-balanced leadership.
Eligibility for the Gender Leader Award is based on several key benchmarks: the presence of women on the boards of African subsidiaries, the share of women on executive teams, the scale and impact of initiatives to nurture female leadership, and the effectiveness of mentoring and talent development programmes aimed at advancing women throughout the organisation.
Schneider Electric has demonstrated a strong track record in meeting these criteria, driving initiatives that support women’s career progression, embedding gender equity in strategic planning, and investing in homegrown talent through its Africa Talent Programme. These efforts reflect a broader mission to build inclusive teams that represent the diversity of the communities they serve.
Commenting on the award, outgoing Cluster President for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric, Devan Pillay, said “at Schneider Electric, we are building a workforce that is truly representative of the world we serve; it is essential for creating a future-fit, sustainable business.
“We are deliberate in our approach, from hiring, promoting, and developing women at every level, to ensuring that policies such as hybrid work models and care can empower women to lead and thrive. The Africa CEO Forum Gender Leader Award is a wonderful acknowledgment of our continued commitment to gender equality in the workplace.”
Vice President of Human Resources for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric, Tanya Ramlagan, added that “we are incredibly proud of this recognition. It is undoubtedly a testament to our commitment to inclusive leadership.
“This award not only celebrates the progress we’ve made but also strengthens our commitment to build pathways for women to grow, thrive, and shape the future of energy and technology across Africa.”
The Africa CEO Forum, founded in 2012, has evolved into a year-round platform connecting Africa’s top decision-makers with global investors and institutions. The Gender Leader Award is an extension of this role, not only celebrating organisations that have significantly increased the number of women in executive roles but also implementing strategies to promote female leadership and resultant social initiatives that enhance women’s inclusion across the continent.
