SAPICS marks 60 years with supply chain conference

The 48^th annual SAPICS Conference, taking place from 19 to 22 July at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, marks a major milestone: 60 years since the founding of the leading supply chain industry body.

More than just a conference, SAPICS is calling on everyone involved in supply chain management to attend. The 2026 theme, “Legacy to Leadership: 60 Years of Connection, Collaboration and Transformation”, reflects both a celebration of the past and a forward-looking focus on the future of supply chain excellence across Africa.

“For six decades, SAPICS has connected and developed generations of supply chain professionals,” says SAPICS president Thato Moloi. “In 2026, we’re not just remembering the past: we are shaping the future.”

Founded in 1966, SAPICS has played a key role in advancing supply chain management across South Africa and the continent. Originally established as the South African Production and Inventory Control Society, it has grown into a leading body dedicated to education, skills development, collaboration and professional excellence.

The first SAPICS Conference was held in Johannesburg in 1975 with just 35 delegates. Since then, it has expanded significantly, moving from Sun City to Cape Town and attracting up to 1,250 attendees annually. Despite this growth, the emphasis remains on quality, community and meaningful connections. Delegates consistently praise the event for its relevant content, expert speakers and interactive sessions, while the exhibition showcases the latest supply chain tools and technologies.

Now recognised as Africa’s premier learning and networking event for supply chain professionals, the conference comes at a critical time. “Supply chains are under intense pressure as organisations transition from pandemic-era crisis management to building long-term resilience,” Moloi explains. “Geopolitical instability, trade tensions, cost volatility, unreliable logistics networks and growing ESG requirements are creating a complex operating environment.”

Against this backdrop, the need for up-to-date knowledge, practical tools and strong professional networks is greater than ever. The 2026 programme reflects these realities, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, automation, circularity, digital transformation, ethical supply chains, leadership, resilience and sustainability.

A central theme of both SAPICS’s 60-year legacy and this year’s conference is the importance of continuous learning and skills development. As technology advances and disruption becomes constant, demand for skilled supply chain professionals continues to rise. “Since 1966, SAPICS’s mission has been to elevate, educate and empower supply chain professionals across the continent,” Moloi says. “Strong, reliable and resilient supply chains are powered by knowledgeable and qualified people.”

Through partnerships with global organisations including the Association for Supply Chain Management, the Demand Driven Institute, the Institute of Business Forecasting and the International Supply Chain Education Alliance, SAPICS ensures access to world-class knowledge and best practice. Its offerings include internationally recognised certifications and high-impact short courses delivered through authorised education partners.

Programmes include APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution) and CTSC (Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain).

SAPICS’s focus on education extends beyond individual development to strengthening organisations and economies. “Supply chains don’t just move goods from A to B – they have the power to save lives, protect the environment and drive economic growth. Almost everything we use daily reaches us through supply chains. Without them, essential goods and services would not reach the people who need them,” Moloi notes.

“As the supply chain landscape evolves, so must the professionals within it. This landmark conference is part of that journey,” he concludes.

To find out more or register, visit https://conference.sapics.org/ or contact the SAPICS Secretariat on +27 (0)31 303 9852 or kimera@confco.co.za.