In Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, where power shortages and unreliable internet connectivity are part of daily reality, Schneider Electric is betting that smarter machines can close the gap.
To this end, the French multinational is promoting edge computing and human-machine interfaces as technologies that could reshape how Nigerian industries run their factories, food plants, and oil operations. Unlike cloud systems that depend on stable networks, edge computing allows machines to process data on-site, giving operators faster control over production lines and critical infrastructure. HMIs, meanwhile, act as digital dashboards that let workers monitor and respond to systems in real time.
“For many Nigerian industries, especially those in manufacturing, energy, and oil and gas, the reality is that business continuity depends on having reliable, localised solutions that do not rely solely on external infrastructure,” Country President of Schneider Electric Nigeria, Ajibola Akindele, said in a statement to The PUNCH.
Nigeria is pushing hard on digital transformation, with analysts forecasting the country’s digital market will reach $11.7bn by 2025. Automation is a big piece of that shift, especially in manufacturing, food and beverage, and energy. The regional trend is also strong, with the Middle East and Africa’s industrial automation market projected to grow from $3.67bn in 2024 to $6.16bn by 2032.
The executive said the technologies are particularly relevant for Nigerian industries where power reliability, data access, and cost of infrastructure often limit productivity.
“Edge computing provides that autonomy, while HMIs give operators the power to respond to system conditions on the ground with clarity and speed.”
Schneider Electric says the adoption of these technologies could help Nigerian companies sidestep bottlenecks that slow down innovation, from costly downtime on production lines to safety lapses caused by weak monitoring systems.
In food processing plants, for example, local operators are using edge-enabled HMIs to track temperature-sensitive production. Oil and gas companies have deployed them at remote sites where connectivity is scarce.
The company is pairing the technology rollout with training programmes for Nigerian engineers and technicians. The idea is to build local expertise capable of running and maintaining these systems long-term, rather than relying exclusively on foreign contractors.
Globally, the momentum behind these technologies is rising. The industrial edge computing market is projected to expand from $21.2bn in 2025 to $44.7bn by 2030, while the HMI market is forecast to hit $7.7bn by 2028.
“Edge computing and HMIs are no longer emerging technologies; they are essential tools for industries looking to grow in a volatile and competitive environment,” Akindele noted. “For Nigeria to realise its industrial potential, we must invest in solutions that are both adaptive and resilient.”
