Procurement fraud, tariffs and ethical sourcing are among the topics topping the agenda at the upcoming 19th annual Smart Procurement World Indaba, which takes place in Johannesburg from 15 to 18 September 2025. The organisers expect more than 2 000 attendees from the private and public sector to attend the event, which is South Africa’s top conference for the procurement and inbound supply chain profession.

With global markets in flux, tariffs rising and ESG requirements gathering pace, procurement is no longer just a back-office function focused on cost cutting, it is a strategic powerhouse that must be leveraged to drive innovation, collaboration, supply chain resilience, sustainability and value creation, stresses Smart Procurement. The theme of the 2025 Indaba is “Game On - it’s time to step up.” Explaining the rationale behind this, CEO Debbie Tagg says: “Game on is a rallying call to choose the right strategy and the right team with the required skills. It is a call to be a team player, collaborating across the supply chain to deliver real value and thrive in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) business environment.”

This year’s indaba features four major summits: the Sustainability Summit Africa, the Corporate Sourcing and Supply Chain Summit, the Public Sector Supply Chain Summit and the Leaders’ Forum.

Whistle-blowers and accountability

The highlights and key sessions on the programme include an important pre-conference workshop on tackling procurement fraud through accountability and multidisciplinary action. Facilitated by Clarence Jones, who served with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, this practical workshop will help attendees to identify and address fraud and corruption risks in procurement and understand the role of multidisciplinary teams in anti-corruption efforts. It examines the importance of whistle-blowers and accountability mechanisms and will enable delegates to implement controls such as the segregation of duties and electronic payment systems. “It’s critical that we promote transparency, proper documentation and a culture of integrity in procurement,” Jones comments.

The official first day of the conference kicks off with two powerful keynotes – the first on procurement’s role in driving enterprise and supplier development (ESD) success and the second on the increasing complexity of global sourcing amid deglobalisation, near-shoring, tariffs and supply uncertainty. In the latter presentation, Investec economist Lara Hodes will explore how South African businesses can stay ahead.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is in the spotlight on day two of the indaba. “AI, Agility and the New Rules of the Game” is the title of an insightful presentation by Imperium managing director Jan Potgieter. As supply chains become more volatile and data more abundant, the winners will be those who combine the ability to influence human behaviour with the ability to scale decisions through systems, he contends. His session unpacks why the procurement leaders of tomorrow must master both emotionally intelligent deal-making and AI-ready negotiation infrastructure.

Will AI replace jobs in mining, sport, finance and retail?

Whether AI will replace jobs is one of the critical issues that Architech founder Amy Hervey will explore in her indaba keynote. Drawing on compelling case studies from industries like mining, sport, finance and retail, Hervey shows that true transformation doesn’t start with technology, it starts with agency. Audiences will gain practical strategies to build adaptable, emotionally intelligent and technically skilled teams who are equipped for the next economy. In a world where everything can be automated, this session is a powerful reminder that the future remains profoundly human.

Hervey’s presentation will lead into a powerful panel discussion where she and expert panellists Kevin Lomax and Pascalle Albrecht will discuss how the travel industry and financial services are managing the ambiguity of incorporating AI while maintaining the highly important human touch. Lomax is the vice president and South African managing director of Wings. Albrecht is the Commercial Issuing executive at Absa Group.

The expo at this year’s Smart Procurement World Indaba features more than 600 procurement decision-makers. A highlight is the “Go Green Zone”, showcasing sustainable procurement solutions ranging from eco-friendly products to waste-reduction strategies.

Debbie Tagg explains why the 2025 Smart Procurement World Indaba is the not to be missed event for everyone involved in procurement and inbound supply chains: “In a world shaped by disruption, economic volatility, environmental pressures and complex regulatory landscapes, procurement must shift from operational to strategic. To reduce risk and boost supply chain resilience, drive ESG compliance and sustainable development, and to support SME growth through inclusion and enterprise development, it is imperative that we up our game now,” she concludes.