UK’s Aveva optimistic of AI prospects in Africa

by TINTSWALO BALOYI 
JOHANNESBURG – THE global industrial software firm, Aveva, is upbeat about the prospects of digital transformation on the continent, powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

The United Kingdom-headquartered company will this week bring together industrial leaders, technology innovators, and ecosystem partners to explore how AI, Digital Twins and connected data platforms are reshaping the future of Africa’s industries.

This event will be held in Johannesburg on Wednesday under the theme, “Accelerating Africa’s Industrial Future: Harnessing AI, Digital Twins and Data-Driven Operations for Sustainable Growth.”

“Africa is not a spectator in the AI revolution. Its industries are the foundation on which the global AI infrastructure is being built,” Jesús Hernandez, Aveva Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said.

The official said Aveva viewed Africa as a region of immense potential, where digital transformation was helping organisations overcome traditional barriers and advance effectively.

“The journey ahead is about moving from pilot projects to full-scale deployment, from data-rich to intelligence-led, and from reactive to predictive operations,” Hernandez said.

According to Aveva, Africa stands at a defining inflection point in its industrial digital transformation journey.

It quotes research showing that AI-enabled operational intelligence could reduce unplanned downtime by up to 30 percent and cut energy intensity by 10 percent–20 percent across Africa’s mining, chemicals and power generation sectors.

The World Economic Forum’s Africa Competitiveness Report highlights that organisations that have advanced beyond pilot-stage digital transformation programmes are already outperforming peers on productivity, energy efficiency and sustainability metrics by a significant margin.

The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030) is accelerating policy alignment across the continent.

The drive towards a Digital Single Market by 2030 is creating the regulatory and infrastructure conditions for industrial AI and connected operations to scale.

“The global demand for African natural resources is accelerating,” Khaled Salah, Vice President (Africa) at Aveva, said.

“The companies that will capture that growth will be the ones that invest in operational intelligence through tools like AI, Digital Twins and connected data platforms to drive efficiency, reliability and sustainability.”

– CAJ News