Across East Africa, momentum is building around grid digitisation. Smart meters, automation and AI-enabled energy management are increasingly positioned as viable ways to establish efficient, sustainable and resilient energy provision. But there is a fundamental reality that cannot be overlooked – digitisation cannot compensate for gaps in basic infrastructure.
Granted, digital technologies are critical to the future of energy. However, their effectiveness depends on the strength of the very systems they are designed to optimise. It is a catch-22 scenario in the truest sense. Sub-Saharan Africa averages 15–20% losses, nearly double the global average. Smart grids can reduce these losses, but only if the physical grid is strong enough to carry the load.
Indeed, where grids are fragile, under-capacitated or unevenly distributed, digital tools unfortunately have little to optimise. In this context, energy digitisation risks becoming a misplaced priority if pursued in isolation. The principle is clear – infrastructure before innovation must guide the energy transition.
East Africa’s energy transition therefore requires a dual focus. The region must strengthen existing infrastructure while progressively layering in digital capabilities. One cannot succeed without the other.
Why foundations matter
East Africa faces ageing infrastructure, limited transmission capacity and gaps in rural electrification. These challenges affect critical sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing and agriculture.
Even where generation capacity is improving, distribution remains uneven. Some 140 million people remain without electricity in East Africa. This means communities might be within reach of power, but they cannot gain access without the necessary network infrastructure.
This challenge is particularly evident at the last mile. Electrification is most complex and most consequential at this level. Reliable electricity at the last mile underpins everything from cold storage for farmers to basic services in schools and clinics.
The priority, therefore, should remain clear. Before utilities and governments layer sophisticated digital tools onto energy networks, they need to establish the physical foundations those tools require. In other words, infrastructure before innovation provides a practical framework for deciding where investment should go first.
A phased path to progress
The prudent and sustainable route is to transform infrastructure in phases. This begins by identifying priority areas, such as urban centres or industrial hubs with high energy demand.
From there, targeted investments can strengthen network reliability, reduce losses and stabilise supply. Once these foundations are in place, digital technologies can be introduced incrementally. Pilot projects allow utilities and governments to test solutions, measure impact and refine deployment strategies before scaling further.
This approach also enables clearer alignment around objectives. Whether the goal is reducing technical losses, improving reliability or lowering operational costs, each phase can focus on specific outcomes.
A phased approach can also reduce the risks associated with large-scale transformation. Rather than attempting to digitise entire networks at once, stakeholders can establish stronger physical systems and then introduce technologies where they can deliver measurable value.
Collaboration
Delivering this transition requires close collaboration between governments, utilities and technology partners.
As always, regulators will play a critical role in setting priorities, enabling investment and creating frameworks that support long-term infrastructure development. Technology providers, in turn, bring the tools and expertise needed to design, plan and implement modern energy systems.
Importantly, this collaboration must remain realistic. Solutions should reflect the specific challenges of each market. These may include urban density, rural access or existing grid constraints.
Again, digital planning and simulation tools can support this process. They can help stakeholders model different scenarios, prioritise investments and map phased rollouts.
However, these tools work best when stakeholders apply them to real infrastructure challenges. The objective should not be digitisation for its own sake. Instead, infrastructure before innovation should remain the guiding principle for determining where digital investment can create meaningful value.
Building for both resilience and sustainability
As infrastructure is modernised, there is an opportunity to address multiple priorities simultaneously. For example, newer grid technologies can support decarbonisation by eliminating reliance on high-emission components. They can also enable greater visibility and predictive maintenance.
This strengthens reliability today while preparing networks for future digital integration. However, the principle remains the same. These advancements deliver value only when stakeholders build them on a stable and accessible energy base.
Modernisation should therefore pursue both resilience and sustainability. Stronger infrastructure can support reliable energy provision today while creating the conditions for more sophisticated technologies tomorrow.
Getting the sequence right
Digitisation will undoubtedly play a defining role in East Africa’s energy future. But its success depends on sequencing.
First, build and stabilise the grid. Ensure reliable generation, strengthen transmission and expand access to underserved areas. Then, layer in digital technologies to optimise, manage and future-proof the system.
The lesson is straightforward. East Africa should not choose between infrastructure development and digital innovation. Instead, it should establish the physical foundations that allow innovation to deliver its full potential.
Until then, the principle holds – you cannot digitise a blackout.
Symphrose Ochieng | Business Leader | Infrastructure Segment & Power Systems | Schneider Electric | mail me |