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Huawei Introduces Smart Substation Solution for Africa

On May 20, 2026, during the Enlit Africa 2026 event, Huawei hosted the Southern Africa Electric Power Summit, which marked a pivotal gathering for stakeholders in the energy, water, and electricity sectors across the continent. Under the theme "Building the Energy Systems of the Future, Driving Productivity through Digital Intelligence," the summit attracted influential leaders from prominent organizations, including South Africa's Eskom, Ghana's BPA, Nigeria's Transmission Company (TCN), and the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE).

At the summit, Huawei launched its Smart Substation Solution tailored for Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to accelerate the digital transformation of the region's energy sector. Wang Guoyu, Vice President of Huawei's Electric Power Digitalization Business Unit, delivered an impactful speech entitled "Driving Intelligence, Empowering the Future of the Electric System." He emphasized the shift towards a prosumer-oriented model, highlighting that the energy system is at a crossroads and is transitioning towards intelligence. With advances in communication, digitization, and AI, the core electric systems are being redefined, transforming every aspect of the energy value chain—from generation and transmission to distribution. Wang reiterated that Huawei would continue providing state-of-the-art AI capabilities and reliable communication technologies to help African utilities advance into a new era of intelligence.

The introduction of the Smart Substation Solution also showcased Huawei's commitment to enhancing the modernization of smart substations across the continent through strategic partnerships. Collaborating with CIGRE and Zhuhai Unitech Power Technology Co., Ltd., Huawei's solution integrates intelligent video, AI algorithms, and secure wireless networks. This solution aims to automate critical manual operations—including monitoring, inspection, meter reading, and analysis—thereby facilitating a remote oversight of entire substation operations. As reported by utility representatives, the time required for inspections has drastically reduced—from days to mere minutes—while operational and maintenance costs have diminished by 70%. Notably, this collaboration with Huawei has equipped their transmission network with comprehensive digital detection capabilities, enabling a paradigm shift from reactive repairs to proactive alerts.

Moreover, following the summit, Huawei organized a roundtable discussion alongside CIGRE and the 450 MHz Alliance, focusing on private wireless networks and electric telecommunications infrastructure. Gösta Kallner, Executive Chairman of the 450 MHz Alliance, highlighted that the private wireless network for utilities is essential for reliable and sustainable network operations, citing its extensive coverage, diverse ecosystem, and future-ready capabilities. A CIGRE representative added that from an international standardization perspective, establishing a unified technical framework and sharing global best practices is crucial for expediting digital transformation in electrical networks.

All parties agreed on the importance of creating a ubiquitous, secure, and efficient electrical communication foundation to support new electrical systems and achieve sustainable energy development in Africa. This significant step reflects Huawei's dedication to not only advancing technology but also ensuring that it is aligned with the unique challenges and opportunities within the African energy landscape.

To learn more about this initiative, visit Huawei's Smart Substation initiative.