How Schneider Electric is Growing Nigeria’s Economy Through Industrial Automation

Oluchi Chibuzor

In recent years, Nigeria has faced significant economic challenges, including rising inflation and technological stagnation across key revenue-generating infrastructures. Despite its diversified economy—anchored by sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, and services—a substantial portion of Nigeria’s GDP still relies on the primary sector, with agriculture alone contributing 21.07 per cent.

According to the United Nations, economic growth, social development, and climate action are closely tied to investments in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development, and technological advancement. To drive a meaningful transformation in Nigeria’s economic trajectory, the country must embrace widespread industrial automation across its manufacturing processes and economic activities.

Contributing to Nigeria’s economic advancement, Schneider Electric, a global leader in Digital Transformation and Process Automation, is solidifying its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa with its innovative automation solutions and services. With 150 dedicated employees and four engineering centers across the region, Schneider Electric is demonstrating its commitment to driving operational excellence and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s critical industries: Petrochemicals, Oil & Gas Exploration, Production & Refining, Power Generation, Mining, and Manufacturing.

Digital and Software Business Leader for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric, Elijah Daniel, shed light on the transformative impact of Schneider Electric’s Process Automation solutions. “Our advanced technologies and expert services are designed to streamline production processes, enhance operational efficiency, and significantly reduce downtime and maintenance costs. In a region where industries face unique challenges, our commitment is to provide tailored automation solutions that drive productivity and sustainability.”

Schneider Electric’s comprehensive automation solutions are crafted to meet the specific needs of industries with complex processes. In the consumer-packaged goods sector, by automating production lines and integrating real-time monitoring systems, manufacturers can ensure consistent product quality and minimize waste.

Speaking on the impact of process automation on the economy, Elijah noted Schneider Electric’s contribution to the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry, where precision and safety are paramount. Schneider Electric’s automation systems have provided integrated process control and safety system solutions to various clients. “Our resilient automation and information solutions cater to upstream, midstream, downstream, gas processing, storage, and loading facilities.

“Our Industrial and Process Automation solutions include EcoStruxure Foxboro Distributed Control Systems, EcoStruxure Triconex Safety Systems, Modicon PLCs, SCADA Systems, and Process Instrumentation. With a client base including all the IOCs operating in the country, three petrochemical plants, one LNG plant, and the world’s single largest 650k bpd private refinery, we have successfully controlled plant processes, managed overall asset safety, and ensured uninterrupted production,” he said.

It is no news that crude oil theft is a significant threat, contributing to Nigeria’s revenue decline. Therefore, safeguarding our oil resources is critical to leveling up our economic power. Beyond ensuring consistent uptime in assets, Schneider Electric plays a vital role in protecting the entire production value chain in the oil and gas sector through its pipeline monitoring solutions, shielding the Nigerian economy from potential losses due to bad actors, operational inefficiencies, or safety incidents.

The mining sector, which contributed only 0.77 per cent to GDP in 2023 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), can benefit from Schneider Electric’s solutions, from automated drilling and blasting to real-time asset monitoring. By automating key processes and implementing predictive maintenance, mining operators can enhance production efficiency and reduce downtime.

Elijah Daniel urges business leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa to invest in the right automation systems to drive seamless production and reduce malfunction repair costs through their Customer First program. The Schneider Electric Customer First program is a customer-focused services and support program structured to help businesses protect their critical investments by effectively maintaining hardware and software systems, reducing downtime, and increasing performance levels. It also aims to reduce total cost of ownership through discounts and flexible funding options, and to improve operational performance by leveraging Schneider Electric’s resources. “By partnering with Schneider Electric, Nigerian industries can experience a new wave of efficiency, safety, and sustainability.”

By enhancing productivity, ensuring product quality, and promoting safety, Schneider Electric is playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic advancement.

As Nigeria continues to navigate its path towards industrialization and economic diversification, Schneider Electric stands as a reliable partner, offering sustainable solutions and a steadfast commitment to sustainability and growth. Learn more about Schneider Electric’s innovative technologies and transform your operations today.