Best Practice in Procurement We uncover Sustainability Summit Africa, where procurement and supply chain professionals are convening to drive environmental and socio-economic growth Writer: Jack Salter
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ustainable procurement practices are gaining momentum. Procurement, through the implementation of more sustainable buying and sourcing decisions, is a critical, powerful lever for businesses to protect and grow long-term environmental and socio-economic value not only for themselves, but also for their supply chain partners and the communities in which they operate. With a heightened understanding that sustainable procurement is about ‘doing good business’, it was against this backdrop that the first Sustainability Summit Africa (SSA) was launched in 2021. SSA, hosted by Smart Procurement World, provides key insights into the drivers, current practices, and the future of sustainable procurement with a specific focus on Africa, bringing together thought leaders to define the business case and the
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roadmap ahead. Following on from the enormous success of last year’s inaugural SSA, Africa’s first-ever continent-wide sustainability conference, the online conference is returning for 2022, taking place on the 11th and 12th of May. The question that remains on the minds of many business leaders is whether sustainable procurement and supply chains are a reality for Africa, particularly as the continent navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, SSA 2022 is a must-attend, not-to-be-missed gathering for decision-makers and organisations striving to advance their implementation of sustainable procurement strategies. How should sustainable sourcing be managed in cross-border procurement? What are the threats and opportunities for public sector organisations and stakeholders? These are just some of the questions
and issues that a host of renowned local and international speakers featured at SSA 2022 will deliver their valuable views on.
VALUE CREATION There is a sustainability knowledge gap that is preventing many firms from making meaningful progress and delivering real value through their sustainability programmes. Delegates at SSA 2022 can expect to gain an understanding of how to position the value of sustainable business practices in their organisations, and the role they can play. The event will explore new ways to engage suppliers and adopt key performance indicators for sustainable procurement practice, as well as the professional skills needed to reap the benefits of such efforts. Sustainability is no longer a mere box-ticking exercise, for companies
