Internet of Things makes its presence felt in Middle East and Africa
The Internet of Things (IoT) is creeping into various sectors across the Middle East and Africa, from energy to manufacturing, and with it companies such as Schneider Electric of France and Germany’s Siemens are racing to increase operations throughout the region to support its adoption.
Caspar Herzberg, Schneider Electric’s regional president, said that amid expectations of an increase in business activity, it will add headcount, and manufacturing and research and development capabilities over the next five years, without giving figures.
“We expect to lay the foundations for a decade of growth,” he said “We have some cities like Dubai that are taking off in the IoT, and it’s here that you’ll probably have the prototype for the smart city.”
The UAE ranks first in digital adoption among Middle East countries and in Dubai an increase in smart services has resulted in cost savings of Dh4.3 billion over a 12-year period to 2015, according to the emirate’s Government.
Only 6 per cent of the region’s population lives under a “smart” government, according to a report by McKinsey.
The consultancy said that this gap held huge potential to the tune of US$95bn or the equivalent of 3.8 per cent of the region’s annual GDP.