Africa's Energy Moment | Jean-Pascal Tricoire | Chairman, Schneider Electric

This year is very special for Schneider. It's our 190th year, and my 40th year at the company. I want to talk about energy and electrification, and digitalization. We are living through a unique time—a double revolution in energy and AI. The world has been stable at 20% electrification for decades, but in the next 20 years we need to reach 50%. That means providing reliable electricity to 5 billion more people, especially in Africa. The shift is driven by usage: electric vehicles, buildings, data centers. Africa is growing fast, and we can leapfrog with the latest technologies. Schneider is your energy tech partner. We are already building smart grids, like the one in Egypt, and working with partners across the continent. The key is human capital—Africa's youth. Digital and AI are essential to optimize this transition. At Schneider, we connect everything from devices to digital twins, applying AI to the physical world. This is the time of a double revolution, and Africa is accelerating. Let's not waste the opportunity.