‘Smart Power Distribution Key To West Africa’s Economic Growth’

Reliable and intelligent power distribution is critical to supporting economic growth and infrastructure development across West Africa as the region continues to expand its industrial and commercial sectors, Channel Sales Director, Schneider Electric West Africa, Nurudeen Oyedeji, has said.

Disclosing this at a forum in Lagos yesterday, Oyedeji said that growing investments in oil and gas, data centres, commercial real estate, and transportation have increased the need for robust electrical infrastructure capable of delivering uninterrupted power to critical operations.

He noted that many organisations across the region continue to grapple with power quality issues, unplanned outages and ageing electrical infrastructure, resulting in operational disruptions, increased maintenance costs and reduced productivity. According to him, addressing these challenges requires deploying smart power distribution technologies that improve efficiency, reliability, and energy management.

Oyedeji added that as businesses increasingly embrace digital transformation and automation, there is a growing demand for intelligent electrical systems that provide real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and enhanced safety.

He said Schneider Electric is responding to the challenge by introducing its next-generation BlokSeT low-voltage (LV) switchboard to the West African market, designed to improve power distribution, operational continuity and digital capabilities for critical infrastructure and industrial applications. According to him, the solution is engineered to deliver high reliability and minimise downtime through rapid restart capabilities, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for critical facilities. He added that the switchboard is designed with enhanced safety features, including internal arc withstand capability and robust compartmentalisation to protect personnel and equipment in demanding operating environments.