Huawei Unveils Intelligent Grid Infrastructure Platform For Sub-Saharan African Utilities

Huawei has launched a new intelligent substation solution for sub-Saharan Africa as utilities across the continent intensify efforts to modernise grid infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.

The announcement was made during the Southern Africa Electric Power Summit at Enlit Africa 2026, where energy sector leaders gathered to discuss the role of digital technologies in the future of power systems. Delegates included representatives from Eskom, Ghana’s BPA, the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the CIGRE.

Huawei said the solution is designed to support the digital transformation of electricity networks through the use of artificial intelligence, intelligent video systems and secure wireless communications infrastructure. The technology aims to improve substation monitoring, operational efficiency and maintenance management while supporting the wider integration of renewable energy and decentralised power systems.

Speaking during the summit, Huawei Electric Power Digitalisation Business Unit vice-president Wang Guoyu said power utilities were entering a new era in which AI, communications technology and digitalisation would increasingly shape electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

According to Huawei, the platform automates several traditionally manual processes, including inspection, monitoring, meter reading and data analysis. Utility representatives at the event said the technology had reduced inspection times from days to minutes and lowered operations and maintenance costs significantly.

The intelligent substation initiative was launched in collaboration with CIGRE and Zhuhai Unitech Power Technology Co., Ltd., highlighting growing cooperation between utilities and technology providers to strengthen grid resilience across Africa.

Alongside the launch, Huawei, CIGRE and the 450 MHz Alliance hosted discussions on the future of private wireless and power telecommunications networks. Participants stressed that secure, high-capacity communications systems would be essential for supporting increasingly digital and decentralised power networks.

Huawei said it plans to continue working with utilities and industry partners across Africa to expand the deployment of AI-enabled power infrastructure, positioning digitalisation as a key component of the continent’s long-term energy transition and economic development agenda.