Data centre and information technology are key sectors that Eaton, a global power management company, plans to invest in as it launches operation in West Africa with an office in Nigeria.
Eaton targets high-growth markets in Africa
Eaton Managing Director (Africa, Electrical Sector), Shane Kilfoil, said economic statistics attracted the company to Nigeria.
Continental economic statistics
Kilfoil said:
• Africa’s population is expected to increase by 118 per cent by 2050.
• Energy demand by 2035 is estimated to rise by 93 per cent.
• Some 55 per cent of the population lacks access to electricity.
• There is a projected 79 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) increase in mobile data traffic till 2017.
• Up to $3.2 trillion cumulative investment is required for energy supply by 2035.
• Up to $217 billion cumulative investment is required for energy efficiency by 2035.
A strong focus is on Nigeria where by 2050 the population is expected to increase by 153 per cent. Currently, 52 per cent of Nigeria’s population lacks access to electricity.
About 92 per cent of proven African gas reserves lie within Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Angola and 27 million unique mobile subscribers are expected to be added by 2017.
Stake in Africa
Eaton – which helps customers manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more reliably, efficiently, safely and sustainably – employs over 103,000 people worldwide and serves customers in 175 countries.
In Africa, the company creates customised solutions to specific power management needs.
Kilfoil, who spoke at a reception to mark the office opening, highlighted the importance of safe, efficient and reliable energy supplies to economic growth on the continent.
“The development and use of innovative technologies is critical in increasing energy efficiency in Africa,” he stressed.
“Africa’s energy challenges lie not in building more and larger power generation plants, but instead in investment in advanced power management technologies to enable businesses to do more with less energy in an increasingly resource constrained world.”
Eaten Regional Sales Manager (West Africa), Charles Iyo, noted that the emergence of Nigeria as an economic power house depends on developing technologies to solve power management challenges.
Said he: “The power reform agenda of the federal government is aimed at a complete restructuring from a vertically integrated monopoly industry to a privatised competitive electricity market.”
“The reform will enable Nigeria to overcome a huge deficit in the supply of electricity and Eaton is well positioned to support businesses with customised, end-to-end solutions for their oil and gas plants, utility requirements and renewable energy management needs.”
Plans to showcase solutions
Eaton plans to host industry players and customers at Eaton Tech Day in September at Eko Hotel, Lagos. The forum will present solutions to industry leaders in Africa’s biggest market.
The event is expected to attract policy and decision makers, partners, customers and stakeholders in the oil and gas and power management industry from Nigeria and across the sub continent.
77-year root
Eaton has been in Africa since 1937 with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Algeria and Nigeria.
With 300K square feet of manufacturing space in South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia, the company offers a broad portfolio supplemented by “made for Africa” products and services.
It has 900 employees and 18 distributors who are dedicated to the growth and transformation of Africa’s businesses.