With entries closing on 27 March 2024, the organisers of this annual showcase are urging African supply chain professionals to get their submissions in soon and help to shape the future of supply chain management on the continent.

While celebrating and showcasing innovation, resilience and excellence in the supply chain industry, the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards also contribute to the advancement of supply chain management across Africa, to enable globally competitive supply chains that will drive economic growth on the continent. “Entrants are not merely competing, they are enabling collaboration, knowledge sharing, awareness and industry benchmarking that will raise the standards of supply chain management and promote best practices in the profession,” says Liesl de Wet, a director of the awards. “There is growing recognition of the key role that supply chains play in business success and economic growth,” she stresses.

The categories in which entries can be submitted include demand planning, procurement and manufacturing, warehousing, transport, technology, sustainability and talent management.

In addition to honouring achievers, this initiative helps youth in need to enter the supply chain profession. The awards have been set up as a not-for-profit entity with the ultimate objective of raising funds for the creation of sustainable bursaries for individuals needing support to study and pursue careers in the supply chain profession.

A distinguished panel of judges representing various logistics associations and bodies oversee the awards.

The prime sponsor of the 2024 Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards is Forte Supply Chain Solutions. Category sponsors are the Southern African Association for Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), the Road Freight Association and CEVA Logistics.

In 2023, the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards received 92 compelling entries from 26 countries around Africa. The winners included a logistics feat that got vital food aid to desperate communities in West Africa and a project to strengthen healthcare supply chains in war-torn Cameroon. Awards were also presented to a solar vehicle project, a trans-modal coal transportation initiative, and a rail sector skills development success story. The judges presented a special award to an important road to rail undertaking that has improved road safety and achieved a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions on the route between Vryheid and Richards Bay.

The awards will culminate in a prestigious gala event in Johannesburg in July, offering attendees an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues while celebrating the award winners and their achievements and contributions to the industry.