Supply chain managers from across Africa and around the world will meet in Cape Town next week – June 8th to11th – for the annual SAPICS Conference, Africa’s premier learning, knowledge sharing and networking event for the profession.
In 2024, more than 750 supply chain managers from 30 countries attended the SAPICS conference. This year’s gathering, however, is more important than ever amid shifting global trade dynamics and on-going supply chain disruptions. So says SAPICS president Thato Moloi.
“Africa’s supply chain environment is at a critical junction marked by opportunities and challenges. With the rise of protectionism and reshoring in a world impacted by economic nationalism and geopolitical tensions, Africa has the potential to become a powerful link in global supply chains. However, it is vital to hone our supply chain skills, including keeping up with the technological advances driving supply chain optimisation, agility and resilience,” Moloi stresses, adding that supply chains don’t just get goods from A to B but have the power to save lives, protect the environment and grow economies.
“Virtually everything we use or touch every day has reached us through supply chains. They connect everything and make our societies and economies function. Strong, reliable, resilient supply chains are powered by skilled, knowledgeable, suitably qualified people. Without them, goods and services – including essential medicines and healthcare – would not reach the people and communities who need them,” says Moloi.
There is no doubt that South Africa’s supply chain sector is the lifeblood of our economy, fueling everything from exports to essential services. However, as Moloi says, strong, reliable, resilient supply chains are powered by skilled, knowledgeable, suitably qualified people and on this issue, a growing skills gap is threatening to choke future growth and – by extension – the flow of goods that move by road to ports and across borders. If today’s supply chain workforce isn’t replenished, tomorrow’s fleet operators, planners and logistics decision-makers could find themselves in short supply – literally.
This looming crisis is in the crosshairs at the 47th annual SAPICS Conference, where the industry body will bring together local and global experts to chart a course toward a more resilient, skills-rich future.
Collaboration to futureproof the workforce
In a key panel discussion, supply chain leaders from across sectors will tackle the challenge of building a pipeline of future talent – looking at mentorship, training and stronger ties between academia, government and industry.
Facilitated by Yaseen Ahmid, CEO of the Circular Economy Institute of Africa, the session will bring together voices from big brands and respected institutions:
- Prof. PJ Kilbourn – University of Johannesburg.
- Asekhona Ngeno – Corporate Supply Chain director, Procter & Gamble.
- Azel van der Walt – IMEA head of Logistics, Maersk.
- Nicole Petersen – programme manager, SAGEA.
The panel promises to deliver not just discussion, but direction – sharing success stories and actionable strategies for supply chain businesses to implement right away.
Gaming the system – in a good way
Training that sticks is a hot topic. According to Laurent Vigouroux, French supply chain expert and brand ambassador for b2wise, “traditional supply chain training often struggles to engage participants and drive real-world results.”
His SAPICS presentation will showcase how gamification and AI are rewriting the learning rulebook. Serious games like DDBrix are making it easier to grasp complex logistics challenges, while AI-powered tools offer adaptive learning, personalised to each professional’s knowledge gaps.
“Gamification and AI are transforming the learning experience,” says Vigouroux, who will demo real-world results that blend innovation with practical business value.
Buffer building for talent continuity
In any supply chain, a missing link can bring the whole operation to a standstill. This is as true for driver shortages as it is for planning gaps. International expert and author Caroline Mondon will present the Demand Driven Skills Model (DDSM), a methodology that applies the same buffer logic used in supply to workforce planning. In other words: skill up before the crunch hits.
By modelling the location and size of “skill buffers”, organisations can protect operational flow – a concept that could prove game-changing for logistics firms who want to bulletproof their operations against labour shortages.
Empowering youth, changing lives
SAPICS, with sponsors Industrial Logistics Systems (ILS) and Bertling, is walking the talk. Through its youth development programme, 20 students from Stellenbosch University, UNISA and other institutions have been sponsored to attend the conference. It’s a direct investment in the next generation of supply chain leaders – and a meaningful step in tackling the country’s stubbornly high youth unemployment rate.
This year’s SAPICS Conference doesn’t just talk about transformation. It’s actively building it, one student, one idea, one session at a time.
At this late stage, we’re not sure if there are any places left but if anyone wants to give it a go and slip in as a late delegate, you can contact event organiser Upavon Management by emailing info@upavon.co.za or calling +27 11 023 6701.
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