Oriel Soupen, channel marketing manager at Schneider Electric South Africa. (Image source: Schneider Electric)

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has expanded its Alliance Partner Programme for Industrial Automation Distributors (IAD) to South Africa

This initiative aims to strengthen the company’s channel network, increasing accessibility to its industrial automation products, solutions, and services across the region.

By leveraging Schneider Electric’s extensive distribution network, the programme enhances product availability and market coverage while creating growth opportunities through advanced specialisations and skill development. Distributors benefit from comprehensive training, equipping them with the expertise needed to improve customer service and adapt to market demands.

According to Oriel Soupen, channel marketing manager at Schneider Electric South Africa, “The programme is a strategic initiative to enhance our distribution network and better meet the diverse needs of our industrial automation customers. By continuously improving the programme, we consider our Alliance Distributors as an integral part of the Schneider Electric strategy. These distributors maintain a customer-centric approach, boosting customer confidence by enhancing their solution capabilities within the automation space.”

A shared path to growth

Through the programme, Alliance Distributors gain access to a wider selection of industrial automation products and solutions, driving market demand and increasing sales potential.

Key areas of focus include:

• Enhancing expertise: Specialised training in two primary areas—EcoStruxure Machine and EcoStruxure Plant—alongside advanced specialisations in software, services, drives, sustainability, motion, and robotics.
• Certification process: Ensuring distributors receive training and align with Schneider Electric’s strategic goals.
• Expanding the partner network: Strengthening collaboration with system integrators and other partners to support project lifecycles.

Schneider Electric aims to empower its Alliance Distributors with a deep understanding of automation technologies and solutions. The objective is not only to sell individual products but also to provide comprehensive solutions that integrate seamlessly across systems.

Chris Neethling, channel sales manager at Schneider Electric, stated, “We want our Alliance Distributors to have the technical competency and capability to sell the full solution, not just individual products. They should be able to advise customers on complementary components and how different parts of the system work together. By empowering our partners, we can expand our reach and capabilities to support a broader partner ecosystem.”

The Alliance Partner Programme is structured into different tiers, each with specific requirements that distributors must meet to access additional benefits and support from Schneider Electric.

Also read: Schneider, Mitsumi boost East Africa’s power resilience

DHL Supply Chain, in collaboration with Scania Kenya, has introduced 25 Euro 5 biodiesel-powered trucks, marking a significant step toward more efficient road transport in Kenya and the broader East African region

This initiative, the first of its kind in the area, demonstrates both companies’ commitment to adopting cutting-edge transport technology, improving road safety, and enhancing fuel efficiency through specialised driver training and telematics integration.

Driving logistics innovation

The deployment of these state-of-the-art Euro 5 trucks is part of DHL Supply Chain’s broader strategy to modernize its fleet in Kenya using the most efficient solutions available.

Scania East Africa, which supplied these 25 vehicles, plays a crucial role in DHL’s operations. The company prioritises sustainability and adheres to its Scope 3 Science-Based Targets in alignment with the Paris Agreement. Scania actively promotes alternative fuel solutions, enhances vehicle efficiency, and supports industry-wide carbon reduction efforts.

Beyond Kenya, this collaboration extends to other markets, including a recent pilot of the first electric truck with a fuel-powered range extender at DHL’s German headquarters in Bonn. This partnership underscores Scania’s long-term vision for sustainable transport, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of road freight.

"At Scania, we recognize the urgent need for sustainable transport solutions across East Africa and beyond. This partnership with DHL is a reflection of our ongoing efforts to offer cleaner, more efficient alternatives that align with both regional and global sustainability goals. By introducing Euro 5 trucks powered by biodiesel, we are not only reducing emissions but also paving the way for a future where 100% renewable fuel adoption is possible. Our commitment extends beyond just providing vehicles—we continue to invest in innovations, services, and partnerships that support a long-term, greener transport ecosystem for the region," said Vincente Connolly, managing director, Scania East Africa.

Cutting emissions and boosting efficiency

The newly introduced Scania Euro 5 trucks offer substantial environmental benefits compared to conventional diesel models. These include:

• Lower nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, improving air quality.
• Enhanced fuel efficiency, maximising mileage while reducing overall fuel consumption.
• A reduced carbon footprint, helping customers meet their sustainability targets.

Prioritising safety and operational excellence

DHL’s commitment to safety and efficiency is further reinforced through AI-driven onboard cameras and Scania’s advanced Fleet Management System (FMS):

• AI-powered smart cameras monitor driver behavior, detecting fatigue and distractions to prevent accidents.
• Scania FMS enables real-time telematics tracking, optimizing route planning, fuel monitoring, and predictive maintenance to minimise downtime and enhance efficiency.
• Comprehensive driver training programs ensure optimal vehicle usage, promoting fuel savings and improved road safety.
• East Africa is at a critical juncture in its development, and reliable logistics and transport solutions are key to supporting this growth. The deployment of these Euro 5 trucks is a practical and immediate step to enhance the efficiency of our operations. This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation and road safety and shows our dedication to support economic growth in East Africa through state-of-the-art logistics solutions," said Tito Okuku, managing director of DHL Supply Chain for East Africa.

The Bank of Brazil will enter into an agreement with Mozambique to finance the construction of the Moamba Major dam that will provide drinking water for the Maputo metropolis

The project will boost recycling efforts in Ghana and Nigeria (IMAGE SOURCE: Adobe Stock)

Ghana-based manufacturer Mohinani Group Limited has teamed up with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to undertake the recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) from plastic waste in Ghana and Nigeria

The initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs in both countries and help protect the region’s environment.

Under the partnership, IFC will provide a loan of US$37mn to help Mohinani Group subsidiaries Polytank Ghana Limited and Sonnex Packaging Nigeria Limited to establish PET recycling plants in Ghana and Nigeria.

Each plant will have the capacity to produce 15,000 tons of recycled PET (rPET) resins annually that will substitute virgin PET resins used to make food grade and beverage packaging containers.    

Some 90% of the raw materials will be sourced from local small businesses involved in plastic collection.

“The rPET project by the Mohinani Group was born out of a vision to close the bottle-to-bottle recycling loop in Africa and the group’s dedication to advancing environmental sustainability,” said Roshan Mohinani, strategy and transformation manager for Mohinani.  

“It is also inspired by our group's purpose of improving the quality of lives in Africa, as this initiative is expected to create over 4,000 jobs along the value chain in Nigeria and Ghana, thereby providing economic empowerment to a significant number of young people, particularly women.”

Combined, the new plants are expected to create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs across the value chain and approximately US$21mn in annual savings from imports for each country.

PET is a polymer resin of the polyester family, widely used for making containers for liquids and foods.

Using recycled plastic waste for production will prevent harmful pollutants from being released into the environment and reduce the need for virgin plastics. This will lower greenhouse gas emissions because recycled plastics have a smaller energy footprint than new plastics.

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — will provide advisory services to strengthen Mohinani’s environmental and social practices and its capacity for efficient and sustainable PET recycling operations.  

The project aligns with IFC’s strategies for Ghana and Nigeria which are focused on mitigating climate change, job creation and economic transformation.

It is also consistent with the World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025, which aims to reduce the use of virgin plastic resins and greenhouse gas emissions in the packaging materials value chain. 

“IFC's partnership with Mohinani underscores our dedication to promote environmental sustainability and economic development in Ghana and Nigeria,” said Dahlia Khalifa, IFC regional director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa.

“By recycling up to 30,000 tons of PET waste annually, these new plants will protect the environment and substitute imports with locally recycled materials.”

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