Hundreds of municipal officials from around the Western Cape will get together from 28 to 30 May 2025 to attend the Western Cape Procurement Conference.

This important annual event, which is now in its 12th year, enables public and private sector employees to exchange knowledge and develop their skills, to enhance service delivery and address the challenges faced by municipalities. This year’s gathering is particularly significant amid evolving legislative frameworks and critical infrastructure and energy challenges, the organisers state.

The conference is supported by the Western Cape Provincial Treasury and Department of Infrastructure and organised by Smart Procurement World. All public and private sector officials in the region are invited to attend, including municipal managers, chief finance officers, department heads, supply chain and procurement role players, asset managers and local economic development (LED) officials. Government departments, engineers and asset managers will also be in attendance.

The 2025 event’s theme is “Blueprint to Impact: Creating a Legacy of Growth”.  Smart Procurement chief operating officer Debbie Tagg outlines the rationale: “This year, we will explore forward-thinking strategies that address immediate needs while building resilient systems for long-term growth and economic transformation. This not to be missed event provides an essential platform for leaders, experts and stakeholders to unite, exchange knowledge and forge impactful partnerships,” she states.

Disaster management, community empowerment through strategic sourcing, reducing red tape and fostering partnerships for growth are among the topics on the agenda.

The private sector will be represented in corporate sourcing sessions for Western Cape procurement and supply chain professionals. Another value-add this year, according to Tagg, is the Small Business and Supplier event that will be hosted alongside the main procurement conference. “This is a unique platform bringing businesses, corporations and enterprise development stakeholders together, creating an environment for market access and business growth in the region.”

The key sessions on this year’s compelling programme include a discussion entitled “From Challenges to Solutions: Procurement as a Catalyst for Change”, presented by Isac Smith, Deputy Director General: Governance and Asset Management, Western Cape Provincial Government. A panel discussion will explore the future of procurement and offer essential skills for thriving in the digital age. “Beyond Compliance: Cultivating a Performance-Driven Procurement Culture” is the title of a presentation by Western Cape Provincial Treasury’s procurement specialist Cindy Lekay. Embedding sustainability into core procurement strategy is also on the agenda. As consumers demand more ethical choices and ESG regulations tighten, sustainability in procurement has become a strategic imperative. This session unpacks how forward-thinking businesses are moving beyond box-ticking to build resilient, transparent supply chains that deliver both purpose and profit.