Skills development critical for Africa’s supply chain future

Africa’s supply chains stand at a pivotal moment, with skills development, sustainability, and innovation emerging as critical drivers of growth, resilience, and global competitiveness.

With the rise of protectionism, reshoring, and growing economic nationalism, Africa’s supply chain environment stands at a critical juncture, rich with exciting opportunities and facing formidable challenges. The continent has the potential to become a pivotal link in global supply chains, but strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, sustainable practices, and skills development are essential to realise this promise.

This is the view of supply chain industry body SAPICS. According to its president, Thato Moloi, forward-thinking businesses that recognise Africa’s vast potential amidst shifting supply chains and new trade dynamics are investing heavily in skills development, sustainability, and technology. SAPICS’s initiatives are playing a vital role in enabling and supporting Africa’s emerging role in global supply chains.

“Since 1966, SAPICS’s unwavering mission has been to elevate, educate, and empower supply chain professionals in South Africa and across the continent,” Moloi says. “Today, as Africa stands on the cusp of transformation, strong, reliable, resilient supply chains must be powered by skilled, knowledgeable, and suitably qualified people.”

SAPICS provides Southern African supply chain practitioners with access to internationally recognised certifications and impactful short courses. The organisation is the Premier Elite Channel Partner in sub-Saharan Africa for APICS, a division of the US-based Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). SAPICS is also a global affiliate of the Demand Driven Institute (DDI), the Institute of Business Forecasting (IBF), and the International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA). Through these partnerships, SAPICS offers the highest quality supply chain education content, delivered via a network of carefully selected Authorised Education Partners.

SAPICS’s certification offerings include the 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), among many others. Each certification addresses critical areas within the supply chain field: the CPIM focuses on internal operations, the CLTD addresses logistics and distribution standards, the CSCP covers end-to-end global supply chain management, and the CTSC equips professionals to manage supply chain transformation projects effectively.

Recognising the growing importance of environmental standards, SAPICS also integrates sustainability into its education offerings. This includes a masterclass on sustainable supply chain best practices developed in partnership with ASCM, and ISCEA’s Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional programme.

“To address Africa’s supply chain skills deficit, SAPICS is expanding its network of Authorised Education Providers across the continent,” Moloi explains. “We are also launching new initiatives and partnerships with universities to empower young graduates and professionals, equipping them for successful careers.”

SAPICS offers education in multiple formats; in-person events remain a cornerstone of practical learning. A flagship event is the annual SAPICS Conference, Africa’s leading gathering for supply chain professionals. Now in its 47^th year, the 2025 SAPICS Conference will take place in Cape Town from 8 to 11 June, offering vital learning, networking, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

“This conference is a must-attend event for all supply chain practitioners, from senior managers to industry suppliers and newcomers eager to learn and grow,” Moloi notes. More than 750 supply chain managers from 30 countries attended the 2024 SAPICS Conference, highlighting the event’s international reach.

For the first time, Demand Driven World – the premier global convention for Demand Driven methodologies — will be held alongside the SAPICS Conference. This unique opportunity enables attendees to experience two globally recognised events at one venue.

The theme for SAPICS 2025 is “Innovation in Motion”.

“In today’s turbulent supply chain landscape, innovation is no longer optional; it is a necessity,” Moloi elaborates. “As organisations face technological advances, shifting global dynamics, and demands for seamless efficiency and sustainability, agility and adaptability have become critical.”

SAPICS 2025 will bring together industry experts, thought leaders, and supply chain professionals from around the world to share insights through presentations, panel discussions, and practical workshops. “Attendees can expect to learn from the brightest minds and most influential voices as they explore the trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the future of the profession,” Moloi says.

To find out more or to register for the 2025 SAPICS Conference, contact event organiser Upavon Management by emailing info@upavon.co.za or calling (+27) 11 023 6701.