AI growth driving push for clean electricity infrastructure

Audio By Vocalize

Schneider Electric Chairperson Jean-Pascal Tricoire with Regional MD Walid Sheta and Country CEO Ifeanyi Ado during a media engagement in Nairobi on May 13, 2026. [Killiad Sinide, Standard]

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is accelerating global electricity demand, with Kenya emerging as a potential regional hub for digital infrastructure and electrification, Schneider Electric Chairperson Jean-Pascal Tricoire has said.

Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Mr Tricoire said Africa must accelerate electrification to support the growing demand for data centres powering AI technologies and digital services.

“We need more data centres in Africa to support local innovations,” said Mr Tricoire. “But we must have more energy because AI runs on data centres, which consume a lot of power.”