Schneider Electric, the global leader in energy management and automation, and recognised sustainability leader, proudly announces its certification as a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Level 1 contributor for 2025 - an achievement that underscores its   steadfast commitment to empowerment, inclusion, and sustainable economic growth.

Achieving Level 1 B-BBEE in an evolving regulatory landscape requires agility, consistency, and leadership. Schneider Electric has remained proactive, adjusting to shifting codes and expectations, while embedding transformation across its core strategy.

“Inclusion is not a target, it’s our way of doing business,” says Tanya Ramlagan, Vice President of Human Resources for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric. “B-BBEE Level 1 is an enabler, but our true success lies in the real impact we are making; empowering local talent, building capacity in underserved communities, and contributing to a sustainable, inclusive economy.”

Schneider Electric’s Level 1 status is underpinned by strategic actions across multiple B-BBEE pillars: 

• Employment equity and talent mobility – the company has a strong internal focus on inclusive talent pipelines and has achieved significant female representation in senior roles, reinforcing diversity at all levels.  Most recently, the company announced the appointment of Canninah Dladla as its first female cluster president for Anglophone Africa.

Earlier this year, Schneider Electric also announced the appointment of Ziphozihle Wonci as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for its Anglophone Africa operations, further strengthening the representation of female leadership.

Schneider Electric was also awarded the Gender Leader Award at this year’s Africa CEO Forum held in the Ivory Coast. The Gender Leader Award acknowledges those organisations operating in Africa that have shown a significant and continuous commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. 

• Enterprise and supplier development - through targeted financial and non-financial support and capacity-building initiatives with its partners the company is fostering inclusive economic growth while strengthening supply chain resilience and unlocking long-term value.

Preferential procurement – the company has continued to develop its procurement network by increasing engagement with black-owned and black women-owned businesses.

This approach also includes a commitment to small businesses which form the backbone of the country’s economy,

• Skills development - through focused training programmes, mentorship, and the Schneider Electric Education Trust, bursaries are provided to disadvantaged students pursuing tertiary education in fields critical to the green economy.
• Socioeconomic development - Schneider Electric has consistently invested in community upliftment projects, such as access to energy community projects, food resilience initiatives, and access to education programs to upskill youth in the sustainable energy transition.

“Transformation must translate into tangible benefits for people. Our commitment is not just about points on a scorecard, but about enabling access; access to education, employment, energy, and opportunity, concludes Ramlagan.

As a Level 1 contributor, Schneider Electric is positioned to deliver expert services to the public and private sector alike, especially in critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, water, healthcare, and housing.