Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, is strengthening its commitment to Africa’s next generation of leaders through its partnership with One Young World, as the global youth leadership Summit returns to the African continent for the first time since 2013.

Taking place from 3-6 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, in Cape Town, South Africa, the One Young World Summit will bring together more than two thousand young leaders from more than one hundred and ninety countries to connect, share ideas and develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social, environmental and economic challenges.

As a Ribbon Partner for this year’s Cape Town summit, the role marks the next step in Schneider Electric’s relationship with One Young World, following its entry into the partner community in 2024 and delegate participation through its Youth Impact Through Learning initiative in 2025.

Confirming its commitment to the event, Schneider Electric’s 2026 executive delegation participating in the summit will include Esther Finidori, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Committee Member; Charise Le, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Committee Member and Canninah Dladla, Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The Summit is an opportunity to start conversations, but it is not where those conversations should end,” notes Dladla. “We want to create connections that continue beyond Cape Town, between young talent and experienced leaders, between education and industry, and between ideas and opportunities. When we give people access to skills, networks and the right opportunities, we create the conditions for sustainable impact to grow.”

“Africa has enormous potential to shape its own sustainable future, but unlocking that potential requires more than investment in infrastructure and technology. It requires investment in people,” adds Dladla.

“Bringing One Young World to Cape Town creates an important platform to put Africa’s young leaders at the centre of conversations about the continent’s future. They should not simply inherit the decisions being made today – they should be part of making them.”

Building Africa’s future with its next generation

Schneider Electric’s partnership with One Young World brings together the company’s energy technology and sustainability expertise with the summit’s global network of young leaders and changemakers.

It also builds on Schneider Electric’s existing investment in skills development, education, early career programmes and community partnerships across Africa, creating opportunities to connect young talent with business, government, education and civil society.

As economies across the continent become increasingly electrified, digitalised and connected, the demand for future-ready skills is growing. For Schneider Electric, this means that Africa’s energy transition must also be a skills and leadership transition.

“While technology can create significant opportunities, its impact depends on people having the knowledge, confidence and capabilities to apply it. Our partnership with One Young World allows us to connect with young leaders who are already driving change and to explore how we can help equip even more people to shape the future,” concludes Dladla.

Through various global initiatives, Schneider Electric supports access to technical education and skills development, working with education institutions, TVET colleges, universities and community organisations to help prepare young people for the changing world of work.

The One Young World partnership extends this approach by creating a platform where emerging leaders can build skills, gain exposure to new perspectives, develop influential networks and connect with organisations that can help turn ideas into action.

Africa’s next generation has a critical role to play in determining how the continent responds to its energy, digital and sustainability opportunities. Through partnerships like One World, knowledge is shared, access is created, and collaboration takes place alongside its most valuable resource, its youth.