Schneider Electric, the global leader in digital energy management and automation, has announced the appointment of Canninah Dladla as President of the Anglophone Africa Cluster. With a nearly 30-year career spanning the energy, infrastructure, and industrial automation sectors, Dladla returns to Schneider Electric with a bold strategic vision to drive the company’s sustainable growth across the continent.
This appointment marks the return of an accomplished leader to Schneider Electric, where she previously held several senior roles between 2008 and 2016, including Vice President for Energy and Power in Southern Africa. In that position, she successfully spearheaded business development efforts in utilities, mining, and heavy industries, while cultivating a high-performance, collaborative, and customer-centric culture.
In Africa, Schneider Electric is operational in Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
A pan-african track record of excellence
With over twenty years of experience in electrical engineering and industrial automation, Canninah Dladla is passionate about innovation and talent development. She leverages technology to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to clients across various industries. Her core areas of expertise include new business development, strategic account management, smart manufacturing, and business transformation.
Prior to rejoining Schneider Electric, Canninah Dladla led Rockwell automation Africa (a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation) as managing director & country sales director in South Africa, from 2020 to 2025. There, she oversaw the expansion of the company’s footprint across sub-saharan Africa, with a focus on digitizing industrial operations in water, energy, mining, and public utilities. Her leadership strengthened local partnerships and aligned regional growth with global strategic priorities.
Between 2016 and 2020, she also held a pivotal role at GE Power as executive director- key account and business transformation, managing the Eskom account—one of GE’s top ten globally. She played a key role in integrating Alstom’s operations post-acquisition and helped GE achieve B-BBEE Level 4 compliance, critical for market success in South Africa.
Grounded in technical and commercial expertise
Canninah Dladla’s career is built on robust technical and commercial foundations. She began her professional journey at ABB in 1996 as a Trainee Service Engineer, and over nearly a decade, advanced to Field Service Manager, gaining deep expertise in variable speed drives (VSDs), customer training, and service operations.
From 2006 to 2008, she served as national key account manager at Zest WEG Group, managing key accounts such as Eskom and City Power, and boosting brand visibility in energy and infrastructure markets.
In 2008, she joined Schneider Electric, progressing through roles including business development manager, utilities segment manager, and ultimately vice president, energy and power. During her tenure, she became a leading figure in strategy, sales, and innovation across the African energy sector.
Inclusive leadership and sustainable Vision
Beyond her technical and strategic capabilities, Canninah Dladla is widely recognized for her dedication to diversity, inclusion, and business integrity. She has consistently championed inclusive work environments that nurture local talent and promote social transformation in African markets.
A new era for Schneider Electric in anglophone Africa
As president of the Anglophone Africa cluster, Canninah Dladla will play a central role in executing Schneider Electric’s regional strategy. Her mandate: to accelerate the energy transition, drive infrastructure digitalization, and support clients with innovative and sustainable solutions.
Her appointment underscores Schneider Electric’s commitment to empowering experienced, Africa-rooted leaders to tackle the continent’s 21st-century energy challenges.
Educational Background
Canninah Dladla holds a Bachelor of business administration and management from the University of Johannesburg (2001–2005). She further enhanced her global business perspective by completing a leadership development program iniInternational business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2012–2013.
Her technical foundation stems from studies in electrical and electronics engineering (N3–N6) at Ekurhuleni east technical college (1994–1995), following her matriculation from Illinge High School in 1993.
