CIPS Africa Conference: Procurement, supply chains powerful vehicles for positive change across Africa

The CIPS Africa Conference 2024 delivered a powerful message that economies and societies across the continent can be transformed through the implementation of ethical and responsible procurement practices.

The two-day conference, hosted by the Chartered Institute for Procurement & Supply (CIPS) in May, brought together industry leaders from around Africa to discuss how these practices can help nations develop and prosper.

It included expert panel discussions and exploratory sessions on why organisations and countries succumb to nefarious practices in procurement.

At the same time, it emphasised that significant strides are being made in the sector. This was exemplified by the continent’s leading procurement and supply professionals being honoured at the annual CIPS Africa Excellence in Procurement and Supply Chain Management Awards.

CIPS Fellow and programme director Stephen Ashcroft told delegates that not a single sector was unaffected by procurement. This presented a golden opportunity for the industry to shift the goalposts by not only delivering goods and services but also empowering communities, protecting the planet and ensuring a better future for all.

He said this could be achieved by harnessing technology, enabling personal development, fostering innovation, and prioritising social and environmental responsibility.

Tsholofelo Tsholofelo, CIPS member and chief growth officer at Procura Insights, called for a “cultural reset” to promote integrity, transparency and accountability within procurement functions. “This can be achieved through continuous training and education of procurement professionals, emphasising the importance of ethical behaviour and the long-term benefits of fair practices. Organisations should also foster environments where ethical behaviour is recognised and rewarded, and where whistleblowing mechanisms are in place to report unethical activities without fear of retaliation.”

He cited the example of Rwanda, which has made huge gains in combating corruption through its zero-tolerance policy and public education campaigns that promote ethical behaviour.

Johnstone Makhubu, deputy commissioner responsible for Taxpayer Engagement and Operations at the South African Revenue Service, delivered the conference’s keynote address.

He said while data and big data were the “new gold”, ethics should be at the core of this transformation. “This will require a synthesis of people, data and technology because machines have proven they do not have the emotional intelligence required to make ethical decisions… at least not yet. This is what gives us as humans a competitive advantage.”

At the awards ceremony, Paul Vos, general manager of CIPS Southern Africa, said honouring the continent’s most outstanding practitioners was not only about celebrating their achievements but the optimism of the industry as a whole.

CIPS Africa Excellence in Procurement and Supply Chain Management Award winners:

Team Category

Best Approach to Risk Mitigation – Safari.com

Best Collaborative Teamwork Project – DKT International Nigeria

Best Initiative to deliver Social Value through Procurement – FNB

Best Public Sector Transformation Programme – Transnet

Best Sustainability Project of the Year – Equity Bank Limited

Best Use of Digital Technology – Rohloff Group

Outstanding People Development Programme – Rand Water

Public Procurement Project of the Year – Sentech

Procurement Team of the Year (large organisation) – Builders

Merit Achievement – Leader of the Year

Atoapem Frimpong Barimah, Senior Manager, Supply Chain Operations, Newmont Africa

Joyce John, Group Procurement Manager, Coca-Cola

Emmanuel Chisesa, Senior Procurement Operations Officer, African Development Bank

Merit Achievement – Team Category

Best Initiative to deliver Social Value through Procurement – EY

Best Use of Digital Technology – Wärtsilä

Individual Category – Young Talent

Janet Kamau, Group Supply Chain Category Manager – Technology, Equity Group Holdings Plc

Faith Barasa, Direct Materials Purchasing, BIC East Africa

Eric Mwendwa Kiamba, Contracts & Performance Analyst, Safari.com

Lungile Nkwanyana, Supply Chain Team Lead, ABB South Africa

Individual Category – Leader of the Year

Vuledzani Nemukula, Chief Procurement Officer, Transnet

Individual Category – Leader of the Year Certificate of Merit

Atoapem Frimpong Barimah, Senior Manager, Supply Chain Operations, Newmont Africa

Joyce John, Group Procurement Manager, Coca-Cola

Emmanuel Chisesa, Senior Procurement Operations Officer, African Development Bank