CONTRACTORS’ CORNER
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Master Power Technologies unveils state-of-the-art customer experience centre
analytics and operational insights. “Our business has always been about more than selling equipment. We engineer solutions for Africa, by Africa. This Experience Centre is a testament to that philosophy, strengthening our ability to train, innovate and deliver world-class infrastructure while remaining rooted in local expertise,” says Parsons. The launch of the Midrand offices and Experience Centre underscores MPT’s role as a trusted partner in Africa’s rapidly expanding data centre sector. With demand for resilient, efficient, and scalable infrastructure rising, MPT’s investment positions the company to meet clients’ evolving needs across the continent and beyond.
“This centre will be the most impressive UPS and cooling training facility in Africa, enabling our clients to touch, feel, and work with real systems in a way that has never been possible before.” Commitment to local The Experience Centre also highlights MPT’s commitment to local engineering and manufacturing. MPT assembles and engineers complete modular data centre and energy centre solutions across Africa. This approach reduces logistical risks, supports local industry, and ensures that solutions are tailored to regional requirements. Beyond technical demonstrations, the centre will serve as a hub for training and collaboration, equipping engineers and clients with practical knowledge to optimise data centre performance. It also integrates MPT’s proprietary Advanced Infrastructure Visual Analytics (AIVA)
Master Power Technologies (MPT), a leading pan-African provider of turnkey data centre and critical power solutions, has unveiled its hi-tech Customer Experience Centre, also home to its new regional headquarters in Midrand. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s continued expansion and commitment to advancing Africa’s data centre infrastructure. Founded in 1999 by electrical engineer Menno Parsons, MPT has grown from its origins as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) provider into a diversified engineering firm delivering end-to-end solutions for data centres across Africa and the Middle East. Today, MPT designs, manufactures, and assembles a wide range of products under its flagship brands, SURE and AIVA, tailored to withstand Africa’s demanding operational environments. The new Midrand facility spans 6 000m² and will serve as MPT’s African headquarters, housing approximately 200 employees. Strategically located between Johannesburg and Pretoria, the site is positioned close to major data centre hubs, ensuring accessibility for clients and partners. the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, offering electrical contractors a direct opportunity to connect with buyers, investors, and global distribution networks. This year’s event is designed to help businesses expand their reach into international markets. Unlike traditional business events, the 2026 edition prioritises practical trade outcomes such as supplier placement, embassy-led business exchange, investor engagement, business pitching, and import-export market access—key areas for electrical contractors aiming to scale regionally and globally. Under the theme “Direct Business Exchange Amongst Embassies: Meet Suppliers, Manufacturers and Distributors,” the conference brings together embassies, trade representatives, investors, buyers, suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers. For electrical contractors, this creates direct access to decision-makers and market influencers who can open new business opportunities. The event’s goals include facilitating over 70 business placements on global platforms, 90+ embassy-led exchange opportunities, more than 25 pitch sessions for export-ready products, and direct connections with 80+ local and
Hands-on environment At the heart of the launch is the Customer Experience Centre, a R50 million investment that showcases MPT’s engineering capabilities and provides a hands-on environment for customers, partners, and trainees. The centre features advanced test facilities, including a 2 MVA UPS test platform and a 400 kW cooling systems test centre, the most comprehensive of its kind on the continent. These facilities enable performance testing to European certification standards, offering clients confidence in the reliability and efficiency of MPT’s solutions. The company became the first African business to be officially certified as an Endorser of the European Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency in Data Centres in 2025. “The Experience Centre marks a new chapter for Master Power Technologies. It’s about creating a space where customers can engage with our technology, see it in action, and understand the depth of our capabilities,” says Menno Parsons, MD and Founder of MPT. features sector-focused sessions, buyer engagement, product showcases, business matchmaking, and investment- led panels. These elements are tailored to help electrical contractors expand their networks, engage with procurement specialists, identify project opportunities, and strengthen their market position beyond their current markets. As a diplomacy platform, the Embassies Business Fair & Conference contributes to advancing regional priorities reflected in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) agenda, including economic growth, deeper cooperation, regional integration, and stronger participation in the global economy. For businesses, this means access to a practical environment where embassies, investors, buyers and trade stakeholders can engage directly around market access, investment linkages and cross-border opportunities. Key focus sectors include manufacturing, industrialisation, ICT, SMMEs, and infrastructure development—industries where LV and MV electrical contractors play a critical role and can gain useful insight into industry trends and upcoming projects. For more information and to register as an exhibitor, buyer, delegate or investor, please visit:
www.kva.co.za
monitoring platform, which manages and records metrics across more than 200 data centres in Africa, providing advanced
Embassies Business Fair & Conference returns in 2026 T he Embassies Business Fair & Conference returns for its 3rd Annual Edition from 8 to 9 September 2026 at
Engineering a more inclusive future O n International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2026, ABB’s Adeline Maleka and Nokulunga Dube share
their journeys, emphasising the importance of diversity and the opportunities ahead for Africa’s engineering sector. INWED, celebrated annually on 23 June, recognises women engineers’ achievements and highlights the need for greater diversity. At ABB Electrification, women are driving progress across energy, mobility, and digital infrastructure while inspiring future talent. Adeline Maleka, Technical Design and Promotion Specialist at ABB, has always been driven by curiosity. Initially dreaming of becoming an astronaut, she now bridges technology, strategy, and market growth. She develops route-to-market strategies for ABB’s digital solutions and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Nokulunga Dube, an Engineer-in- Training at ABB, was drawn to engineering for its blend of creativity and problem- solving. Her role involves identifying solutions that boost efficiency, reliability, and sustainability for customers, while gaining experience in both technical and commercial spheres. Both women credit ABB’s culture of learning and support for their career growth. Adeline values the company’s inclusive policies and supportive management, while Nokulunga highlights opportunities for mentorship and exposure to innovation. “Continuous learning has enabled me to expand my technical and leadership capabilities,” says Nokulunga. Their careers show that engineering is about more than technical skills. Adeline notes that her work involves people, markets, and data as much as machines. Nokulunga finds particular reward in engaging with clients and teams, building her confidence and communication skills. Despite progress, challenges remain.
From left: Nokulunga Dube and Adeline Maleka.
Nokulunga recalls being one of the few women in technical meetings and having to work harder to establish credibility. Adeline emphasises that true inclusion goes beyond recruitment targets and requires intentional transformation to support women’s needs at all career stages. Open conversations about issues such as menstruation and menopause, along with flexible frameworks, are vital for real inclusivity. Diversity and mentorship are central to innovation. Both women believe engineering solutions should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Mentorship, they say, is key to building confidence and capability in future engineers. Looking forward, adaptability, communication, and continuous learning will be crucial. Rapid advances in technology and Africa’s abundant renewable resources present exciting opportunities. “Africa is at a turning point where engineering is about unlocking human potential and redefining industries,” says Nokulunga. Adeline and Nokulunga encourage young women to pursue engineering, emphasising that it is a field full of opportunity, growth, and impact.
www.embassiesbfc.com/registration/
international buyers. LV and MV electrical contractors can use these opportunities to showcase their solutions, find new clients, and enter new markets. The conference
www.new.abb.com/africa
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
AUGUST 2026
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