Firm seeks adoption of smart city initiatives to tackle overpopulation

A firm, Schneider Electric, has urged stakeholders in the building sector to adapt to the transformative shift with the emergence of smart city initiatives to enhance occupant comfort, ensure safety, and improve energy efficiency by reducing energy consumption and operational costs.

The firm, in a statement yesterday, noted that the adoption of smart buildings is becoming crucial as West African cities, such as Lagos, Accra, and Abidjan, are witnessing unprecedented urban expansion in the areas of population growth, rural-to-urban migration, and economic shifts.

Schneider Electric West Africa’s Country President, Ajibola Akindele, emphasised that the sector must adopt intelligent buildings to tackle the long-term risks, such as safety, inefficiency and system failures often associated with buildings where standards are compromised.

He, however, highlighted the critical role of Building Management Systems (BMS) in the process, saying that this technology is a key tool for managing urban growth responsibly.

He said: “In retrofitted buildings, BMS offers a non-invasive solution, allowing older structures to be upgraded without the need for full-scale reconstruction.

“BMS platform can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 to 40 per cent. This is particularly valuable in West African cities where energy supply can be inconsistent and operational costs high.”

He added that beyond operational efficiency, BMS plays a strategic role in supporting sustainable urban development through integration with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and microgrids, helping cities to reduce their carbon footprint.

“Safety and reliability are also key concerns in high-density urban environments. Again, a well-integrated BMS can detect electrical faults, prevent system overloads, and coordinate fire and security responses in real time. This is especially important in sectors like healthcare and hospitality, where service continuity is critical and system failures can lead to costly disruptions or reputational damage,” he added.