Eskom and Huawei launch modernisation centre and smart classroom in South Africa

Eskom and Huawei have opened the Eskom & Huawei Modernisation Centre in South Africa, alongside a smart classroom designed to support training, innovation and workforce development for the power sector. The facility will run specialized programmes for Eskom employees and South African youth in power ICT, smart grids, cybersecurity and digital operation and maintenance, using Huawei's smart classroom solutions to help build local digital talent for the energy industry. The partnership is positioned as part of Eskom's broader modernization effort, with Huawei contributing ICT and digital energy technologies to support safer, more efficient and smarter power operations. The two sides said they plan to deepen cooperation through joint technology development and talent cultivation, with the stated aim of strengthening grid operations and advancing digitalization across dispatching, fault handling and maintenance. Officials framed the centre as a response to South Africa's shortage of digital skills in the power industry and as a step toward improving grid stability, easing load shedding and supporting energy security for economic recovery. Eskom executives said the project is intended both to improve operational capability and to prepare a future-ready technical workforce.