NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – Schneider Electric has been awarded the prestigious Gender Leader Award at the 2025 Africa CEO Forum, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in recognition of its ongoing commitment to gender diversity and inclusion across its African operations.
The global energy management and automation firm was honoured for advancing women in leadership, fostering inclusive workplace policies, and supporting local female talent through targeted mentorship and empowerment programmes.
“At Schneider Electric, we are building a workforce that is truly representative of the world we serve; it is essential for creating a future-fit, sustainable business,” said Devan Pillay, outgoing Cluster President for Anglophone Africa.
The award’s criteria included female representation on boards and executive committees, support for women’s leadership, and tangible strategies to close gender gaps through mentoring, sponsorship, and young talent initiatives.
The company’s African operations are now led by women in both French-speaking and, starting in June, English-speaking regions. This, along with initiatives such as hybrid work models and the Africa Talent Programme, highlights Schneider’s effort to embed equity in every aspect of its operations.
“This award not only celebrates the progress we’ve made but also strengthens our commitment to build pathways for women to grow, thrive, and shape the future of energy and technology across Africa,” added Tanya Ramlagan, Vice President of Human Resources for Anglophone Africa.
The Africa CEO Forum’s Gender Leader Award celebrates companies that drive gender parity at executive levels while implementing inclusive business models that positively impact African societies.
Founded in 2012, the Africa CEO Forum connects top African executives with global investors, with the Gender Leader Award spotlighting best-in-class inclusion practices.
