NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 2 — Schneider Electric has announced that the second edition of the Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa will take place in Abu Dhabi from April 28–29, 2026.
The summit will bring together global energy and technology leaders, along with government officials, to discuss the region’s transition toward smarter and more sustainable energy systems. The event comes at a time when rapid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital infrastructure is placing increased pressure on electricity demand across the Middle East and Africa.
Schneider Electric said it is advancing its energy technology strategy by combining electrification, automation, and digital intelligence across buildings, data centers, industries, and power grids. The goal is to improve efficiency and sustainability while meeting growing energy needs.
According to industry forecasts, global electricity demand is expected to grow steadily between 2026 and 2030. At the same time, rising AI workloads are projected to significantly increase power consumption by data centers. This growth is also being reflected in the Middle East and North Africa, where electricity use has tripled since 2000 and continues to rise due to urbanization, cooling needs, and desalination projects.
Walid Sheta, Zone President for the Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, said energy is now central to national competitiveness and resilience.
“Energy today is the foundation of national resilience and competitiveness,” Sheta said. “This summit reflects our commitment to accelerating energy innovation and supporting the region’s transformation.”
Abu Dhabi was selected as the host city due to its growing role as a regional hub for energy transition and digital infrastructure. The United Arab Emirates’ net-zero targets and investments in power and technology infrastructure are expected to feature prominently in discussions at the summit.
The event will showcase energy projects and benchmarks from more than 80 countries. These include initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions, eliminating harmful gases in electrical systems, and improving grid recovery times using advanced digital solutions.
Key highlights of the summit will include a CEO Forum held in partnership with Forbes Middle East, bringing together 100 senior business leaders to discuss energy intelligence strategies. There will also be keynote sessions featuring industry executives and strategic partners such as Bain & Company.
An Innovation Hub will offer live demonstrations of Schneider Electric’s latest technologies in energy efficiency, grid modernization, and digital infrastructure. On the second day, the company will recognize outstanding partners with 25 awards across growth, efficiency, innovation, and sustainability categories.
The summit is expected to strengthen regional collaboration and accelerate the shift toward smarter and more sustainable energy systems across the Middle East and Africa.
