Walid Shat, the President of the Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, announced that the company is entering a new phase of industrial growth in the UAE and the wider region. This expansion is driven by a shift towards self-production powered by artificial intelligence technologies, enabling highly efficient industrial operations without direct human intervention.
In comments made during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025), he highlighted that the strategic partnership between Schneider and ADNOC aims to implement self-production solutions in the oil and gas sector, utilizing artificial intelligence. This project is set to be carried out in phases, concluding by the end of 2026, with the goal of achieving a fully automated production model based on intelligent data analysis.
Shat emphasized that Schneider Electric is making significant investments to strengthen its industrial presence in the UAE. The company plans to establish four new factories and laboratories between 2024 and 2025 in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, alongside expanding its operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone. Additionally, Schneider has initiated production projects in collaboration with local entities in Mussafah, starting this year with the supply of electrical equipment to ADNOC, TAQA, and several national companies.
He also mentioned that the company opened a factory in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, last year, dedicated to producing equipment for energy and data centers. Furthermore, Schneider has established an assembly facility for electrical equipment in Sharjah to serve regional markets.
Shat stated that the UAE currently accounts for approximately 20% of Schneider Electric’s total production in the Middle East and Africa. He noted that the majority of the company’s output is generated in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which together serve as a key hub for export and supply operations in the region. He confirmed that further expansion in both the Gulf and African markets is anticipated in the near future.