Africa Must Stop Outsourcing Its Own Value Chains

By Staff Reporter

Johannesburg — Africa must move away from exporting raw materials and importing finished products by developing integrated supply chains that create value, jobs, innovation and industrial capacity on the continent.

This was the central message behind the 2026 African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON) Conference, where supply chain professionals are being urged to help reshape Africa’s economic future.

ASCON Secretary General John Karani says Africa has an opportunity to transform its abundant natural resources into locally manufactured products and greater economic prosperity.

The World Bank’s April 2026 Africa Economic Update projects economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa at about 4.1%, while warning that downside risks are increasing as the region recovers from successive global shocks.

Karani argues that Africa’s economic transformation requires supply chains that connect African markets to one another rather than primarily connecting African resources to markets outside the continent.

At the centre of this transformation is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides an opportunity to deepen intra-African trade and develop integrated regional markets.

However, Karani says trade agreements alone will not be enough. Africa needs efficient trade corridors, integrated logistics, competitive procurement systems, regional manufacturing, digital platforms, reliable infrastructure and harmonised standards.

He also highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern supply chains.

AI can help businesses forecast demand, analyse spending, evaluate suppliers, detect fraud and optimise inventories. However, Karani says technology must be combined with African innovation, professional skills, ethical leadership and strategic cooperation.

According to Karani, procurement can become an important engine of African industrialisation by supporting local production, developing small and medium-sized enterprises, encouraging innovation, facilitating technology transfer and creating opportunities for young people and women-owned businesses.

He says the ASCON Conference provides a platform for supply chain professionals to move beyond discussions and develop practical solutions that can be implemented across the continent.

Delegates can register online at https://asconafrica.org/, where they can book conference packages, accommodation at ASCON’s partner hotel, Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Resort, and access discounted travel options.

Africa’s ability to retain more value from its natural resources, strengthen local industries and expand intra-African trade will depend heavily on the effectiveness of its supply chains.

“Africa’s supply chain future will not happen by accident. We must design it. We must build it. And we must lead it — together,” Karani says.

ABOUT ASCON

The African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON) brings together professional supply chain standards and networks across Africa. Through collaboration, education and advocacy, ASCON seeks to strengthen the continent’s supply chain profession and contribute to Africa’s economic development.

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