Arica’s next generation has a vital role to play in shaping the continent’s energy future through fresh thinking, innovation and technical skills. This holds true in a time when the continent’s grid continues to evolve with the advent of distributed and decentralised energy resources.

This was among the key messages shared by Canninah Dladla, Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric, during her panel discussion titled Future of the Grid: Powering a Sustainable Tomorrow held at the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town.

However, she emphasised that realising this potential will require investment in skills development, stronger local manufacturing and opportunities for young Africans to develop solutions that address the continent’s needs.

"What excites me about the future of the grid is the opportunity it creates for young people. We are talking to the leaders of tomorrow, and the evolving grid provides them with the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and innovate,” she noted.

“When we talk about renewable energy, we are talking about technology and creativity. We need young minds to bring different perspectives, challenge existing thinking and show us what is possible,

Dladla stressed that technological advancement must go hand in hand with developing the skills and industrial capabilities needed to support Africa's long-term growth.  

"We need to look at skills development and manufacturing together. If we want to localise more of what we produce and build stronger industrial capabilities across Africa, we need the right skills and the right people. 

“Partnerships with international organisations and institutions can help us develop those capabilities, but we also need to create opportunities for young people to bring those skills back into their own countries and contribute to rebuilding and growing local industries," she said.

Dladla also emphasised that digitalisation, including the application of artificial intelligence, can complement manufacturing and skills development, helping improve productivity, streamline processes and support more efficient local production.

The panel also explored the role of energy efficiency and smarter energy management in supporting more sustainable electricity systems. Dladla highlighted the opportunity to build on the progress made by industrial organisations in improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy capabilities, while considering how these benefits could also reach surrounding communities.

She pointed to the importance of extending the value of energy solutions beyond individual facilities, encouraging greater consideration of how businesses can contribute to the communities in which they operate.

"Energy should also be about shared progress. If businesses are finding ways to improve their energy efficiency and make greater use of renewable energy, we should also be asking how those benefits can extend to the communities around them," Dladla said.

The One Young World Summit in Cape Town is bringing together young leaders from more than 190 countries to exchange ideas and explore solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Schneider Electric is one of the main sponsors of the event, reflecting its commitment to empowering the next generation and advancing a more sustainable and inclusive energy future.