By: Ajibola Akindele - Country Manager, West Africa at Schneider Electric

West Africa is experiencing significant advancements in process automation, driven by key industries such as oil, gas, power, and mining. Today, process automation involves the deployment of digital control systems (DCS) and connected products which allow for improved decision-making capabilities, increased efficiency, and a higher level of safety for complex industries.

Unlike the early days of industrialisation, where control systems were primarily mechanical and relied on manual intervention and simple feedback loops, modern process automation systems offer exceptional intelligence and provide almost unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities, making it integral to a myriad of industries.

In West Africa, Schneider Electric has established itself as a prominent player in the process automation field, paving the way for innovation across the region, particularly in key markets like Nigeria and Ghana.

In fact, as it stands, Schneider Electric provides process automation solutions to 55% of Nigeria’s oil and gas production through its installed automation systems. This leadership extends across sectors, with 100% automation coverage in Nigeria’s sole Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant and a strong presence in the fertiliser and power sectors.

Looking ahead, Nigeria's UTM Offshore recently received the go ahead to build the country's first-ever floating liquefied natural gas FLNG facility. The project, which will require advanced control systems, is located offshore in Akwa Ibom state in the Niger Delta and is expected to be commissioned in 2028.  

The UTM plant will produce LNG, petroleum gas, and condensate, with an estimated capacity of 2.8 million metric tons per year.

In Ghana, Schneider Electric’s process automation solutions are utilised in power generation, mining, and energy distribution. Notably, companies like Sunon Asogli Power and key players in the Ghanaian mining industry rely on Schneider’s technologies to optimise their operations.

Exciting growth

The adoption of process automation is driven by the demand for enhanced operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and the need to optimise production processes. 

Here, Schneider Electric offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that cater to various industries. Our solutions start from the ground up with "connected products" that feed data into edge control systems, providing the necessary infrastructure for real-time monitoring and control.

At the core of Schneider Electric's process automation solutions are DCS and safety systems, which handle critical processes by collecting and analysing data from various field devices. The next step in the process automation hierarchy is the "apps analytics layer," where advanced software applications help organisations turn data into actionable insights.

What sets Schneider Electric apart is our integration of sustainability and digitalisation within our process automation value offering. 

Our process automation solutions form an important part of smart building technologies, digital services, and sustainability efforts, enabling us to position ourselves as a key enabler of the region’s broader industrial and environmental goals.

Process automation offers the following important benefits:

• Increased efficiency – it streamlines repetitive, rules-based tasks, leading to faster and more accurate processes.
• Cost savings - by reducing errors and speeding up tasks, it helps cut operational costs.
• Enhanced productivity – it allows employees to focus on strategic decisions and high-value activities.
• Improved accuracy – it minimises human errors, ensuring consistent and precise outcomes
• Scalability - it can easily scale to meet growing business demands.
• Integration with AI - it provides deeper insights and informed decision-making.

It is an exciting time for West Africa's process automation marketplace; as energy and chemical processes become more complex, companies will increasingly rely on automation technologies to meet safety standards, optimise energy use, and reduce operational costs.