Supply chain management is a crucial aspect of saving lives, as it ensures the efficient flow of essential goods and services. Nowhere is this more evident and more evolving than on the continent of Africa. In this first episode of a three-part series, Scott Luton is reporting from the annual SAPICS Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, learning from the supply chain professionals in attendance and their inspiring supply chain missions. The discussions range from the importance of dialogue in problem-solving, people understanding their purpose, and strengthening the supply chain workforce in specific African countries to AI and its effect on the supply chain, improvements for data visibility, and integrating various supply chain strategies at different levels. Listen in to the transformative supply chain projects and the strategic partnerships taking place all over the continent.

Featured guests:

Tiwonge Mkandwire & Olivier Dafawe – Village Reach

Dominique Zwinkels & Kofi Nyame – People that Deliver

Azuka Okeke- Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management

Intro/Outro (00:03):

Welcome to Supply Chain. Now the voice of global supply Chain Supply chain now focuses on the best in the business for our worldwide audience, the people, the technologies, the best practices, and today’s critical issues, the challenges and opportunities. Stay tuned to hear from Those Making Global Business Happen right here on Supply Chain now.

Scott Luton (00:32):

Hey everybody. Scott Luton with Supply Chain. Now I’m here at Safe Pick’s annual conference 2023 in lovely, beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. I’m joined as we kick off our, our conference coverage. I’m joined by a good old friend of ours, TGE <inaudible>, with Village Reach and Tangay. You’ve brought your colleague Olivier Daal. Olier. How are you doing?

Olivier Dafawe (00:53):

Great. Very excited to be here. We are too. And Tangia, great to see you again.

Tiwonge Mkandwire (00:57):

It’s good to see you. And it’s nice to see you face to face. Last time we had this conversation, it was in a box. Oh, no

Scott Luton (01:03):

Kidding. We gotta break the boxes. Break the boxes, absolutely. And the silos and all that good stuff. Exactly. All right, so we’re gonna, we’re gonna jump right in today. So, uh, I wanna ask you both, you both have spent a lot of time in this space is critical intersection where healthcare and supply chain intersect, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So we got a lot to learn from you both. Um, but what’s one thing, <inaudible>, let’s start with you. What’s one thing that you wish more global business leaders knew about healthcare supply chain?

Tiwonge Mkandwire (01:27):

I think, you know, specifically for me, it’s, it’s really the opportunities that exist for, um, businesses, for different types of service providers in the public health space. You know, we had a workshop yesterday where we had great minds from all over the world looking at different aspects of public healthcare. And we came to all agree that, you know what, there are ways in which the public sector, the private sector, can play together in a way that’s beneficial for both. Yes. And I wish more entities knew that that’s actually real.

Scott Luton (01:55):

I’m with you. And it’s critical that, that, that happens, right? Cause that’s how, where it comes innovation. And we can serve more folks. Uh, you know, who, who doesn’t need healthcare? We all do, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, it’s a great starting point. Uh, what would you add, Olivier? What do more folks need to know?

Olivier Dafawe (02:08):

Yeah, I had that. Now, the private sector, uh, players are trusting the governments, the community of donors into making things work. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> for the last decade or two decades, actually, the private sector has been very resistant to, you know, work with the, with the public sector because of various issue. Right. And now we are addressing those issue from the get go. And that is really breaking the mistrust and, and really decreasing the risk for them. And therefore they’re more willing to sit, dance, and co-create together. I love that. So, yeah. So we gotta break those old assumptions mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh Right. Cause lots of things have changed. It sounds like. Uh, uh, those in healthcare and public and private have, have recognized some of those things that had to change and to make it, and, and, uh, to break the rules. So we’re more inviting for more folks from across all industries to, to play. Right.

Olivier Dafawe (03:14):

And actually, one of the, at the positive, one positive outcome from the pandemic is that it’s possible mm-hmm. <affirmative> for responding to the, for the pandemic, it was the private sector and the public health sector. The community of the, the donor community working hands in hands and making it happen. Yes. And the, it is providing covid vaccine Yes. Throughout.

Scott Luton (03:44):

Yes. It’s critical.

Tiwonge Mkandwire (03:45):

And, you know, just to add onto that. Yeah, please. I think what was exciting for me about that was it wasn’t an isolated thing where one country was able to bridge that, um, to build that bridge. It was across the whole world. So, you know, organizations, people were collaborating at a global level, regional level, country level, and sometimes even, you know, below the national levels in the countries. So it, it really was exciting for us in the public health space that, look, it can happen across all of these things. Yep. And we need to make sure we harness those lessons that we make that normal. It needs to be our day to day and not just because we were dealing with a crisis.

Scott Luton (04:21):

Yes. I, I fill in my bones what you just shared there, tga, cuz it’s gotta stick. We gotta remember these lessons we learned. Uh, so let’s, let’s shift gears here. Um, TGE, actually, you both are gonna be speaking here today at the conference. Got a jam packed. A lot of great sessions. So share with us, uh, for your keynote. What’s one of your main themes that you’ll be talking about that you wanna convey?

Tiwonge Mkandwire (04:42):

Great. So I am on a panel where we are discussing the, the relaunch of what’s called the Interagency Supply Group. And this is basically where some of the bigger donors in this space, you know, US government, the global fund, some of the UN agencies, they get together so that they can talk, make sure that they’re actually meeting the real needs that are out there, and that they’re getting the synergies from the investments that are coming. A lot of them are, you know, tax, um, tax dollars. What’s exciting for me is for the first time they’re looking to bring in the broader, um, community. So bring in what we call implementing partners. So not-for-profit organizations like our own, that do the work together with governments. And I think for me, what is exciting about that is what Olivier said earlier, it creates an opportunity for us to co-create the right solutions. It’s not just about, oh, looking at this, you know, the problem from here, and then it gets passed down. It’s us sitting down and saying, Hey, this is the world we are in. These are the issues that we need to address. How do we make the best use of these resources to fix these problems?

Scott Luton (05:52):

I love that. And I love where you started your response there. We gotta bring the executors. Uh, they, they gotta be, you know, uh, how this stuff gets done. They gotta be part of the conversation holistically. Uh, Olivier, how about you? You’re speaking I think tomorrow. Yeah. What, what’s your main theme?

Olivier Dafawe (06:07):

So the, the panel I’m on is to this discuss the role of one solution that issues have been involved in ex testing and evaluating if the use of drone, um, will help address the equity gap that we see. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So tomorrow will be speaking about for the last decade, we have been successful at generating the evidence of the positive impact of integrating drone as an additional mode of transportation right. To supply chain and how it benefits the supply chain performance health outcome as far as, um, for the sector that we are, um, into and understanding the true cost of operating a drone network at scale. Yeah. And now that’s done. The next big question is how can we make the use of drone affordable Yes. Affordable in low and middle income countries? And this is where the public-private partnership and the development of multi-sectorial market development is gonna be necessary. So we are gonna really focus on, on that, uh, shift of, of our approach from a monos sectorial to a multi-sectorial market development.

Scott Luton (07:39):

I love that. Uh, in my ears, what I hear there is democratizing the use of drone, uh, at scale, uh, where it can benefit so many folks. Um, alright, so I wanna shift gears again. So, you know, I’m a big fan of, of Village Reach, noble Mission. Y’all own, uh, we’ve had a great chance of, had lot, lots of conversations prior to today, but for our handful of listeners that may have not have missed, you know, they may have missed those earlier episodes. Tge talk to us about, uh, what Village Reach does in a nutshell. And then we’re gonna talk about this exciting program, kind of that Olivier already, uh, touched on a minute ago about drones. So tell us about Village Reach.

Tiwonge Mkandwire (08:14):

So, village Reach, uh, we are, um, you know, an organization that’s looking at making sure that healthcare services are available for everyone regardless of who they are, where they are. Um, and it looks at, you know, how do we use technology to make sure that Primary Healthcare services are available and going forward? We, we are actually spending a lot of time right now thinking through how do we better understand the needs of the people? How do we streamline those feedback loops that help us very quickly understand these are the issues, this is where the issues are, so that we can design systems that respond to that. So we look at that holistically from both the service delivery, private, uh, primary healthcare delivery, but also from a supply chain perspective. How do we build supply chains that are people-centered by understanding what they need and making sure that we are responding to that, getting products to the people. I

Scott Luton (09:08):

Love that Towan gay and that, and that teases us up. Great. So Olivia, I wanna bring you in here and talk to us about, uh, drones for health. You were kind of elaborating some on that earlier, but that’s one of the critical new initiatives at Village Reach, right?

Olivier Dafawe (09:20):

Yeah. And making sure that the products are available to all the people mm-hmm. <affirmative>, all the people, even the hardest to reach the remote communities. And so that’s where the value proposition of the utilization of drone transport, drone transport via drone really comes, it’s by enabling the public health supply chain to reach those community that are isolated. And for the last, well almost decade, village Rich has worked in Dia, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and really evaluate the benefits of integrating that drone transport as an additional mode of transportation. And, um, like I mentioned, this is it. We we have many partners. Military is only one of them who has generated the evidence. Sure. So there’s no, no question about can drone really help reach those unreachable, right. And fill up this inequity gap is equity gap. And, um, now it’s all about let’s bring all this demand that is so far be segmented, segmented across multiple sector, but drone is just a mode of transportation, right? It’s a mean to an end. And we need to aggregate that demand across all the different sector and test different costing models, business costing models, in order to really find the type of model that will enable the sustainable use of drone in the health sector, in the affordability of that new and transformative technology.

Scott Luton (11:14):

That’s, I think that’s a critical thing, making it a, a system, a sustainable system optimized where all, all shareholders can be served no matter where they are. Right. That’s what I’m hearing here. Very exciting. Uh, and that’s just, that’s just a portion of all the great work that village, uh, reaches doing. All right. So I gotta shift gears. We, we don’t have enough time today. We can spend all hours of the day and dive into all the cool things you’re doing, but I do wanna touch on this products, the People podcast. Your four episodes deep, really cool, uh, really have enjoyed, uh, seeing it continue to blossom. So Tge, uh, and, and folks, by the way, any of our listeners out there, you can find products for people wherever you get your podcasts. That’s almost obligatory statement in podcast conversations these days. But what’s one of your favorite moments from the first four episodes?

Tiwonge Mkandwire (12:00):

Whew. There were so many of, you know, my favorite moments. I think for me, what was most, most exciting is talking to, um, a community healthcare worker who’s in Malawi, where I’m from, incidentally. And he was talking about just very simple things that we can do to improve data visibility so that we can really build this integrated supply chain that ties in this strategy work, you know, at the donor government level, um, that ties in the technology that’s being brought in. And ultimately it’s about making sure that we have the footprint on the ground, we can get the data from the people, right, in people’s homes with something as simple as a cell phone. You know, you get the data out there, you create, can easily create a demand sensing supply chain that addresses those needs. I think what was, I mean, and none of that is really new. It’s not like it’s new technologies, it’s new processes, but it was a reminder of the impact of what supply chain can do. You know, supply chain management. If we, if we can get that right, we can really save lives. And I think for me, it was a real reminder about why we do everything that we do on a day-to-day basis.

Scott Luton (13:14):

Tge, what a powerful statement you’ve shared. Uh, there’s a reason why I’ve got a tge tattoo in my left arm. <laugh>, that statement right there. Supply chain can save lives, especially when we get it right. We can save more lives to paraphrase. Um, alright, so I wanna switch gears. This is a perfect segue, man. We’re like, I think we’re second cousins at this point. You can read my mind. So that was, to me is very inspiring. So Olivia, I wanna bring you back in. I know we’re still early in the conference, right? But what’s been one of the most inspiring conversations or nuggets, or maybe challenges, uh, from a moment here so far, Olivier?

Olivier Dafawe (13:50):

Yeah. Um, I’m really hopeful with what I saw yesterday where you had stake stakeholders from governments, stakeholders from donors, stakeholders from private company, transport company, uh, um, inventory management companies and so on. Implementing partner, sitting together and talking to each other about what works, what doesn’t work, where the room for improvement. So that, for me, seeing this happening is, uh, give me hope. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So that’s, I mean, like you said, we, we still early on, but just that it’s already, um, for me a success.

Scott Luton (14:37):

Yeah. I’m with you. If the dialogue isn’t happening, you know, nothing gets solved with a simple conversation, but nothing gets solved without it, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So I love that observation so far, Olivier. All right. Twana, you’ve already given us an inspiring, um, uh, message, but I want go back to the, well, one more time. What’s been one of your favorite moments thus far?

Tiwonge Mkandwire (14:57):

It wa it happened an hour ago on the morning panel where they were talking about artificial intelligence and supply chain. Um, and, you know, talking, there was a question like, what will AI kill us? <laugh>, <laugh>, I believe there’s a whole lot of conversation out there. Uh, but I think for me, the takeaway was, you know, if, if we don’t actually embrace ai, especially in the different phases of supply chain, the planning, uh, the sourcing and everything else, we are losing an opportunity to actually once again save lives. If we just take the planning, for instance, if we can use AI to, to use the data, there’s like so much data out there, but it can help us to just, you know, get better at how we actually make the right decisions near real time decisions to actually, you know, get back to the business of saving lives. So it won’t kill us, but it can allow us to save

Scott Luton (15:52):

Lives. Twan absolutely. Better decisions, faster teams, more confident, uh, empowering the team. There’s so, the interplay of technology and, and the human factor is fascinating right now. Um, okay. I hate to bring this conversation to end. This is, I love the vibe I’m getting here, and, but the good news is there’s a lot more conversations and action that’s gonna come out of the conference, uh, this year. So let’s make sure folks know how to reach both of you and Village Reach. So, uh, Towan Gay, uh, let’s see here. Re right, <laugh>, goodness gracious, I’ve been known to get my kids’ names wrong, to be fair. Uh, but how can folks connect with you twang?

Tiwonge Mkandwire (16:30):

So, I am on LinkedIn, tier one game. It’s easy to find, if you can spell it. Um, also if you, you know, as you said, the podcast, uh, products to people on wherever you get your podcast and you get to hear my voice again and many others.

Scott Luton (16:45):

Wonderful. With and Village Reach. Village reach.org, right? Yeah. Twan Gay. Wonderful. All right. So Olivier, great to meet you here today. I love what you’re doing with Village Reach and of course this, uh, drones for Health program, which is gonna be game changing, right? Tell us how we can connect with you.

Olivier Dafawe (17:02):

Yeah, I’m two ways. There is personal where just go on LinkedIn, alleviate the fa and you’ll find me there. Or just go to Search Outsource Transport Resource Center. That’s a center that’s recently been launched, and this is really focusing on partnership between the private and the public sector bringing together. Um, and so if you are interested into how does it work and, um, experience about outsource outsourcing to the private sector, that’s a great, uh, great side to go. So outsource resource center,

Scott Luton (17:49):

Um, just Google that and you’ll find it. Appreciate your time and consideration of being here today, but thank you for what you’re doing to really make the world a much better place. Uh, so Tge and Olivier, great to have you here today. Thank you for having us here. You bet. My pleasure. All right, folks. So if we enjoy this conversation as much as I have, man, what a great start. Uh, but hey, check out all of our, uh, coverage from the Safe Fix annual conference 2023 at Supply Chain. Now, of course, wherever you get your podcast from, uh, don’t forget about products to people, and stay tuned for a lot more coverage. That comes everybody. Scott Luton with Supply Chain. Now I’m here with you at the Saex Annual Conference, 2023 in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. I’m joined for this episode with Kofi nme and Dominique z Winkles, both with people that delivered Kofi. How you doing?

Kofi Nyame (18:44):

Doing great. How are you doing,

Scott Luton (18:45):

Scott? Wonderful. Great to have you here today. And you’re joined by an old friend, kind of of supply chain now It’s Dominique’s Winkles. Do, uh, Dominique, how are you doing? I’m doing great, thank you. And we’re gonna fill you in on exactly why, uh, she’s part of the og uh, crowd at supply chain now. But I’m gonna start. So Kofi, you, uh, now serve as chair of people that deliver an organization we’re big fans of. Um, so tell us, uh, for a few handful of listeners that may not know out there, tell us about the organization’s mission.

Kofi Nyame (19:14):

Thank you, Scott. So, the people that deliver is all about people, and it’s all about delivery of logistics for the healthcare systems that we have, and the mission of people that deliver focuses on developing a competent workforce, developing a resource for workforce and a motivated workforce that would be available both in the public and private sector to ensure that the products that we have to provide healthcare are available. A lot of times we will look at the supply chain system from the perspective of providing the commodity, but who is behind it? Who is ensuring that the proper certification is done, the proper planning is done, the logistics are done, cetera, cetera. Whether it’s a doctor, whether is a pharmacist versus a logistician, they need to possess the requisite competencies mm-hmm. That are needed to be able to do it. So people that deliver sets out to convene, to coordinate and to advocate for proper professionalization of that service. Those who are in that role should have the proper competencies. The system must recognize them, the professional accord needs to be given to them. The organization needs to ensure that the positions are recognized and the positions are adequately resourced to be able to provide the services that are need

Scott Luton (20:34):

Coffee. That is a, that’s a huge mission, and it’s hugely critical to get to drive those health outcomes for every, for all parties, all shareholders. As you, uh, touched on earlier, and we’re gonna talk more about in a second. So Dominique, yes. I want you to follow up to that, uh, that, uh, noble mission that people that delivers on. What would you add? And then I’m gonna ask you about a major win here in a minute.

Dominique Zwinkels (20:55):

Okay. So, um, I would add that, so people that deliver, we are the global technical leader, uh, if in human resources for supply chain management for low and middle income countries. Um, and so as the global technical leader, we have developed a lot of, uh, very foundational, um, approaches, methodologies, resources, tools to help build that qualified and empowered supply chain workforce. Um, and I think the very, the, the, the one framework I wanna speak about right now is this supply chain management professionalization framework. It’s really the first, its kind, um, it aligns, um, basically a career pathway education and professional opportunities for, for those working for those professionals working in health supply chain management. Um, it’s a way for countries to start thinking about building that body of professionals in their country. And basically, I, um, I just, uh, came back from a, or I just came from Rwanda, where we had a meeting with the East African community, six countries. Yes. All of them have, um, basically signed a roadmap in which, in which they are basically saying they will professionalize the health supply chain management worker in their countries. Uh, and there therefore, you know, enacting legislation where there will become a standard in those countries. And that’s just, for me, that’s like the biggest win. That’s

Scott Luton (22:25):

Like the operationalization of the mission, right? That’s

Dominique Zwinkels (22:27):

Right. Exactly.

Scott Luton (22:28):

And you’re reading my mind, I was gonna ask you about, uh, the latest and greatest win that is a massive win, six countries. It’s

Dominique Zwinkels (22:34):

A massive win for us. Okay. Absolutely. But I have more wins. Okay,

Scott Luton (22:38):

Let me, well before you do, before you share another win, that’s great. Yeah. Uh, we’re all in this for the wins real outcomes, right? Real action, real outcomes. But this phrase, you, so when me and you and Greg White and Jenny Froom got together, it’s probably been two and two years, maybe two and a half years now, you shared this phrase, no product, no program, and it really stopped us in our tracks because I don’t know about you, Kofi, I’m a big fan of simplicity. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, right? And if that phrase doesn’t simply put so many things the right way and, and get to why we do what we do, I’m not sure what does, you have to check your pulse if, if that doesn’t speak to you. So, but, but there’s more wins. There’s more wins. So if you had one more win you wanted to share, Dominique, before I go back to Cofi, what would that be?

Dominique Zwinkels (23:23):

Yeah, I just, I, I, I was thinking about this question whereby when I started almost eight years ago in 2016, right? Um, my second day I had a board meeting and basically I was tasked with figuring out a sunset strategy for people that deliver. And basically I said, no, <laugh> and I forged, forged. And now we’re eight years later. And I just want to say that, you know, I’ve been able to, um, sustain a global community that’s working together to really, uh, provide a recognition to this issue of, of the, the need to develop a qualified and empowered health supply chain workforce. Um, and so I just wanted to mention that. Like, I think that’s, for me a huge

Scott Luton (24:08):

Way fulfilling. It’s gratifying.

Dominique Zwinkels (24:09):

Yeah. It is gratifying. Yeah, exactly.

Scott Luton (24:11):

And to be able to work with people and professionals and leaders like Kofi. I wanna bring you back into the conversation, Kofi. Cause uh, I wanna quote something you shared as you were coming on as chair of people that deliver. You talked about, uh, how much of a priority you wanna, uh, put, um, a priority focus on developing closer ties with the private sector to build the human resource capacity to deliver health products and related services for better health outcomes. Correct. So there’s lots of different ways that, uh, lots of different things that go into making that happen. But if there’s one thing that you would point out that has to change, what would that be? Kofi,

Kofi Nyame (24:50):

You’re right, Scott. There’s a lot that can be done and a lot that should be done. One is too small, but yes. Let’s try and do one. I think the first thing that we need to really focus on is trust. How do we build trust between the public sector and the private sector? How do we ensure that the public sector can trust the private sector to play a role in their healthcare system? It is documented that about 75% of the population in lower and middle income countries actually seek private healthcare from the private sector. Public sector has the overall governance, overall responsibility to ensure that healthcare is delivered. However, if we want to build competent workforce, we need to learn from the private sector. The private sector needs to understand the public sector. But if we don’t trust the private sector, if we don’t have the regulatory system, the framework that allows us to work together, then we cannot necessarily benefit from what we, the private sector knows. And the private sector cannot also play their role as they should in there. And it’s not just about the pro provision of commodities, right? It’s also about provision of healthcare services. We need to be able to collaborate and work together. The one thing that we need to build on is building the trust in each other. The two systems needs to work together for the population to get the healthcare that they need. Mm.

Scott Luton (26:15):

I’m a big believer, you gotta look at the silver linings of the horrible pandemic we’ve all gotten through together, right? Mm-hmm. But we gotta, we gotta take those lessons learned to heart so it drives action and ultimately drives these outcomes that you both are speaking towards. Um, alright. So Dominique, yeah. What would you add to that? That the power of trust and, and you know, if you wanna maybe share your one thing that needs to happen and then we’ll make sure folks know how to connect with you both.

Dominique Zwinkels (26:40):

Yeah, so I was just gonna say that, um, we need to then build leadership capabilities. I mean, one of the goals of professionalization is building that talent pool of leaders that can lead this, these efforts in country. And, um, one of the programs that we are coordinating currently, it’s called the step 2.0 Strategic Training Executive Program. It’s in its second generation. Um, and we’re basically where we are using traditional learning with on-the-job training to really build skills and supply chain managers, um, when you think about communication, project management, um, you know, uh, problem solving, right? So it’s those soft skills that need to be developed, but all within, like leadership and change management. Yes. Um, and so I, I just feel like that’s something that we need to really dedicate a lot of resources to.

Scott Luton (27:32):

Yes, let’s professionalize the workforce, but make sure they’re equipped with the tools and know how to get stuff done. Yeah. Right?

Dominique Zwinkels (27:39):

Yeah,

Scott Luton (27:39):

Exactly. And to save lives, drive he better health outcomes and a lot more what a noble, incredibly noble and critical mission that people that deliver is part of. So let’s make sure folks that are listening at home and, and, and I thank you both for your time. I know this is a really brief conversation around a really, some really important topics, but we gotta start somewhere as we spread the awareness. So, uh, Kofi Nami, the new chair of people that deliver, I say new, but you’re probably, what, six months in now? Is that roughly, roughly, yes. Is that roughly?

Kofi Nyame (28:10):

Is it still new? Four,

Scott Luton (28:10):

Four months. So, so we can strike new, yeah.

Kofi Nyame (28:13):

New <laugh>. So how

Scott Luton (28:15):

Can folks connect with you? All the great things you’re doing?

Kofi Nyame (28:17):

Usual places. You can find me on LinkedIn. LinkedIn as, uh, COFI in, um, very happy to discuss, very happy to touch base and talk about how do we professionalize this space and ensure that we have the competent and motivated workforce to deliver the health outcomes that we need.

Scott Luton (28:34):

I love that coffee. I really love what you do there because you, you, you, you, you’ve said a critical word there several times, motivated workforce, right? They gotta not, not just, um, get a job, but get a good job that, that, that they want to jump outta bed and, and make things happen every day. We all need that. Don need that. All need that. All right. So Dominique Winkles part of the OG here at Supply Chain. Now’s so happy to

Dominique Zwinkels (28:58):

Hear that.

Scott Luton (28:59):

<laugh>, no product, no program. We’re gonna get t-shirts one day, but really appreciate what you’re, what all, all of your leadership here, both of you. So Dominique <affirmative>, how can folks connect with you, but and equally as important, how can they support what’s going on at people that deliver?

Dominique Zwinkels (29:15):

Yeah, so they first of all go to www dot people, dot people that deliver.org. That’s our website. Um, we also on Twitter and LinkedIn. So follow us on that because one of the things that people can do is really amplify our advocacy messaging. And that’s on LinkedIn and Twitter. And so if you can just amplify that, that’d be fantastic. All of our resources, technical materials are on our website. So using those to implement certain projects at country level, that’s also where we need a lot of help, um, organizations that are interested in joining our coalition. You know, we are always looking for new members, uh, that are willing to either financially support us, technically support us. Um, and then I think the last one is that last year we had, um, our very first conference, okay, the PTD Global in Daba. So the people that deliver global in Daba, uh, first conference in Africa focused on human resource for supply chain management for low and middle income countries. Were gonna have the second one in Thailand in March of 2024.

Scott Luton (30:20):

Wow.

Dominique Zwinkels (30:21):

Well, so, um, going global. Yes, going global. Um, last year we had, you know, over 250 participants from 40 countries, um, just showing how there’s still such an, uh, a need to discuss this, this, this area of work. Um, but also, you know, of course people are just so interested in networking and learning from each other. So

Scott Luton (30:41):

Networking and learning mm-hmm. <affirmative> and doing with a purpose. And that’s what I’m hearing here today. Yeah. Um, alright. Big thanks to you both again, Kofi nme. Thank you Scott. Wonderful to meet you. Great to have you here. Congrats on, uh, serving as chair of people that deliver what an organization. And Dominic Winkle’s, executive director with people that deliver. Great to see you finally in person. That’s right. And thank you for what you do as well. Thank you, Scott. Thank you, Scott. You bet. All right. So folks, continue our coverage here at the Saex Annual Conference, 2023 in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. Stay tuned for a lot more conversations just like this, that are gonna inspire you and, and hopefully cause you to, to jump in and take action. Support these critical organizations doing big things. Hey everybody. Scott Luton with Supply Chain. Now here at Safe Picks annual conference 2023 in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. I’m joined by a wonderful repeat guest that we had so much fun with last time. Azua kk, how are you doing Azua?

Azuka Okeke (31:45):

I’m fine. And thank you Scott, for having me here. You

Scott Luton (31:48):

Bet. We had such a great time. Yes. When you, you joined me and Jenny Froom, maybe Greg White may have been a part of that. I can’t remember, but I was about a year and some change ago if I had to guess. Yes,

Azuka Okeke (31:59):

Yes,

Scott Luton (31:59):

Yes. And you’ve continued to move mountains since, haven’t you?

Azuka Okeke (32:03):

It’s been a great journey, if I can say that. I don’t know about moving mountains, but it’s been great. Thank you.

Scott Luton (32:08):

Well, we’re gonna dive into some of that. Uh, and I wanna start with this. So you serve as CEO of the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management. Tell us about the organization’s mission. Zuka,

Azuka Okeke (32:20):

Thank you. To make it easy for you, a e esm, because that’s a mouthful. Ah, okay. Alright. A esm. Um, we were set up in 2020 Yes. With the mission to be the leading resource platform, um, for, um, government in Nigeria to access supply chain expertise, financing, innovation, and, uh, whatever capabilities that are available in the ecosystem to make, um, health delivery work. That’s our mission.

Scott Luton (32:50):

So what out of all of that, and, and, and I really wish we had three or four hours a day. Next time we will, we’re gonna book it azua. But out of all of that, what’s one of your favorite aspects of that mission?

Azuka Okeke (33:02):

Oh, it has been a, a fantastic journey working with the Nigerian government because when we came on board, one thing that was lacking was, um, there was no real institution within the government to take on supply chain solutions. There was a lot of expectations from partners, though no agencies like usa, bmg F um, and, and Gavi for government to take on ownership, but there was no institution. So we prioritize building the institution within the health system that can operate wrong to adopt whatever policies or strategies that were required to move it to the point of impact. So one key policy change that we enabled the country to deliver was the, we call it the marriage ppp Okay. Marriage, public private partnership. Okay. And it’s really to strengthen relationship between the health government and local pharma. Ah, it was all to drive, uh, purchase of medicines, essential medicines, um, for the achievement of the universal health coverage goal.

Azuka Okeke (34:05):

It has been fantastic because to date, um, we have seen worked with four states in Nigeria. Okay. Um, and, um, and you can see approximately a state has done business with local manufacturers to 2 million a year. Yes. So if you can see that, um, 37 states in Nigeria, that’s a 74 million Wow. Business Okay. In a year. And for us is, uh, we are working with four states. We see that scale, and it’s been a fantastic journey. It has enabled pharma companies to, uh, last year they said it has increased their revenue by 5%. Okay. In profit, that’s 15 companies. So imagine the impact of that in Nigeria. So it’s, it’s big. It’s not about having the policies, is that the government institution can take it on and move it to the point of impact and the economic growth.

Scott Luton (34:51):

Yes. All right. So let me for what I heard there. Uh, so two, two big things. Number one, you, you, you mentioned on the front end of your response how government expected a lot from supply chain, but didn’t exactly know how it worked and couldn’t support it. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and couldn’t understand it. So some of y’all’s work really impacted that to, um, to demystify chain management, which I love that. And then the second thing you touched on with big impact, you mentioned, um, uh, how there’s a bottom line impact and, and when we can make a bottom line impact, a lot of times we can drive great outcomes for, for more folks. Uh, but, but helping the healthcare system to connect and better understand the pharma side of the equation. Right. And getting them closer to being on the same side of the table. So again, we can more, we can find more efficiencies, drive bigger outcomes, and for the private side of companies, which you mentioned, drive bigger profits so we can, we can serve more folks. Right. Definitely. All right. So I want to keep going down this trend. So it, what else? Um, all of that is transformative Yeah. That you’ve shared. Is there anything else? Cause I know you’ve done this for quite some time. You, you’ve, you’ve, uh, been, been, you and your team have been involved in a lot of different projects. Any other supply chain transformation project in Nigeria or elsewhere comes to your mind that you really, you point at that and say, man, that’s exactly why I do what I do.

Azuka Okeke (36:15):

Thank you. Thank you. So, I mean, even for government to do business with pharma, because you need to look at the credibility of that. One of the things that we had to prioritize was that whole institutional approach. Mm. Having the right strategy. So when we came on board, the government had, um, just, uh, developed what they call the national health supply chain strategy, 2021 to 2025. But like so many African countries, it could become a book, a record or whatever on the table collecting dust. Mm. What we did was to help them, they called us to say, we wanna put this to life, but they didn’t know how to implement the strategy. Yeah.

Scott Luton (36:53):

Operationalize it.

Azuka Okeke (36:54):

Anyone can interpret a strategy anywhere they like. So what what we had to do was help them move into a model. So we developed, we helped the country develop a blueprint Yes. For the strategy. And that was what they were able to hand over to states to say, now you have a strategy. And the strategy said something every state, because Nigeria is like 37 STA countries. Yes. <laugh>, every state in Nigeria should set up a, an agency like a hub. Yes. That can run supply chain business. Health is business. So that’s the key in Nigeria. Move away from donor dependency Yes. And start generating income. So for me, that has been a significant, um, work that every other thing has layered on. We work with P T D for instance, they came up with the health, um, supply.

Scott Luton (37:47):

I’m sorry, that’s people that deliver just

Azuka Okeke (37:49):

To connect the dots. Right. People that deliver. Yes. Yes. I mean, they came up with this fantastic, um, framework for professionalization. You can’t run that framework or nothing, but because Nigeria has that strategy and there was a missing link, how do we professionalize? It was a clear way to just block that having a strategy is fundamental, but implementing strategy is the key. Mm. So being able to work with Nigeria to move from document to action Yes. With measurable impact. That is one thing we’ve done. And I can sleep tomorrow and say, <laugh>, it’s not all been talk. Oh, it’s been action

Scott Luton (38:29):

Zuka. I love it. And, and I love, I love you. Um, how you paint that picture. Yes. Because I bet anyone listening to this conversation or viewing a conversation, they can see the dust collecting on those old strategies. We build it, you put it away, but then you’ve got that big old gap between the strategy and to your point, what’s going on and how can we help people implement these great ideas and these well Beth laid plans. So I love that. Uh, and, and then one last thing you mentioned is how you worked and, and helped these 37 states across the country, the country of Nigeria, to really move, make, start to make that shift from donor dependency to generating revenue so they can really create some independence operationally and otherwise, right? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, all right. I wish we had a lot more time. <laugh>, next time Azua. We’re gonna have to, uh, book six hours. <laugh>. Um, alright, let’s talk about strengthening the supply chain workforce. So this is gonna be a big theme, I think, of all of our conversations here at Safe PIX 2023. So when it comes to strengthening the supply chain workforce locally in Nigeria and, and elsewhere across, uh, the continent of Africa, what is one thing, I know there’s a lot more, but what’s one thing you’d like to call out that’s gotta be done?

Azuka Okeke (39:42):

It’s important to ask the question to government who is gonna do the work? Um, and then, um, if you say who will do the work, how will they do the work? How will we measure the impact? If you head on what, what has happened over time? Because we started health supply chain in Nigeria as an emergency solution humanitarian. Um, the PEPFAR funds the president emergency funds from Bush, uh, George, president George Bush in those days. But we continued in that way, just training workforce and not being clear. How does that fit into the grand scheme of things? Right. So one thing that we, we we emphasized to government was you tell us who we do the work, inaugurate them into a team, maybe don’t think unit, but after a while, move from team to unit after a while, begin to make sure that there is a clear organogram responsibility, job descriptions, so that you can be accountable for everything you do. So that must be done. Government must set up a clear team, inaugurate them and mandate them. So they’re not doing multiple things. You train someone, they move here, and you can’t hold on and you can’t hold them accountable. Yes. So accountability is key. Mm-hmm. Very important.

Scott Luton (40:59):

Accountability is incredibly important. You know, set it and then expect it. Yes. Right. Um, and yet, and the simple questions can be the most powerful ones who <laugh>.

Azuka Okeke (41:10):

Yeah. Who, and one of who’s gonna do this, one of the things we also said was not just tell me who we need a work plan. We need a budget, we need clear measurable. What are you, what are your objectives for the, this period of time? So that’s what we do in Nigeria or every state. Before we bring in any investment from any donor, you must show us who they must have it, what plan? They must have a budget. You the commissioner, must sign it and approve it. Your budget, you will fund it mm-hmm. <affirmative> so that you build that workforce on the premise that they are going somewhere. You say, in the next two years, you’re going to impact availability of medicines, you’re going to reduce wastage, you’re going to put in visibility systems. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, we will hold your accountable. The training is an enabler. Sure. Not just train you from nothing. Right.

Scott Luton (41:54):

Well, plus people, all of us want to know what we’re working towards and the, and the greater plan. And, and we wanna know where we, everyone wants to know where they fit in.

Azuka Okeke (42:03):

Exactly.

Scott Luton (42:04):

It, it helps make the work more gratifying and more informed. And

Azuka Okeke (42:09):

It’s a journey.

Scott Luton (42:10):

Yes. Agreed. Mm-hmm. Um, all right. So let’s talk about, um, one thing if you look at, of the supply chain ecosystem across the continent of Africa, I think 46 countries mm-hmm. If I’ve got that right. Makeup, the country of Africa or the continent of Africa, A lot of folks, a lot of folks, just like in fact, we were talking about earlier today, you know, in the US there’s 50 states and each of those 50 states, like I’m from the state of Georgia, we’ve got like 3000 counties in the state of Georgia. I’m exaggerating a little bit, but it feels like, and, and so the point there is it’s such a collection of all different types of people and customs and, and cultures and preferences and all that, all that stuff. Um, so when you think about the supply chain eco ecosystem across the continent of Africa, what’s one thing you wish more folks knew about it?

Azuka Okeke (43:01):

The actors in the supply chain ecosystem in Africa, there are, um, just like every other place, there are three key actors. Mm. And the important thing is because of the supply chain maturity in Africa, which in most countries is quite rudimentary. Mm. Um, you find that the actors define supply chain differently. So you have the public sector, you have the private sector players. Yeah. And then you have the academia. Most times we seem to ignore the role of the academia, the those that are to do the research and innovation. So when we started working, we realized that the three actors were speaking a totally different supply chain language, and we yet expect them to coerce. Mm. So one of the things that must be done is that clear understanding of the role of all the actors and the way they define supply chain. If you bring government to this swix, they’ll be totally lost.

Azuka Okeke (43:58):

Right. The way they define supply chain is about decision making stakeholders and the boom, they don’t do the logistics, they make decisions. So the logistics solutions here are what they’re supposed to outsource. Right? Right. Right. So if you are doing such an event, you must accommodate the different actors. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Now they academia, they are completely oblivious of what is happening. <laugh>, I am telling you, I was shocked when I started engaging the ac. Number one, when we started working in Nigeria, there was no university in Nigeria. We had, um, up to 67 universities, not one providing supply chain master’s degree. Wow. Okay. And when I said, they said, what is supply chain? Mm. You think they know, they are not aware. But I’m glad that as Satna up to seven have masters. So it is that making sure everyone is carried along because supply chain is not just about the solutions we’re bringing to the table. Yes. The viability of the actors.

Scott Luton (44:59):

Yes. You know, I’m, I’m, I’m really, I dunno about you, but when I hear people brave enough to ask that question, what is supply chain? I am so glad, and I bet you are too, because once you understand that the gap in knowledge is out there, you can do something about it. Right. Um, and, and so whoever the brave individual was in those early conversations, what is this? You speak up supply chain, what is this? That’s, that’s, that’s a beautiful thing. Beautiful part of the, the dialogue. Um, all right. So let’s talk about, um, I know con we’re early on in conference, right? This is like day two. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> depends on how you, how you categorize Sunday. So what is one of the most inspiring moments? One of the most inspiring things you’ve heard here thus far at Saex 23?

Azuka Okeke (45:44):

I joined the session yesterday. Um, it was about design thinking. I was like, okay, I keep hearing this very, uh, you know, these buzz words, cool words. I’m like, so that when I go back, I’ll start using it design thinking. So I joined the session and, um, and they were trying to define it, but one thing that caught my attention, um, the presenta presenter said, design thinking is for wicked problems. It’s not for every problem in your company, right? Um, um, pro business problems you solve with business solutions, your strategies, but design thinking is for wicked problems. And I’m like, what’s wicked problems? He said, there are problems that are multidimensional that you need to actually overhaul, and you are focusing on the client, you know, and that means that you need to really rethink your strategy. And he doesn’t have one solution because he’s not one problem, like trying to tackle poverty, trying to tackle health. Mm-hmm. So I realized I was in a weaker problem situation. I didn’t know that <laugh> cause health, really, you can do so much. I mean, if you can imagine the investment, yes. According to countries like Nigeria and Africa as a whole, yet we’re still, it’s as if we’re not meeting the, um, sustainable development goals. So really it helped, it gave me clarity that it is really a wicked problem. We’re trying to solve some,

Scott Luton (47:06):

A wicked problem we’re trying to solve.

Azuka Okeke (47:09):

Goodness gracious. We need design thinking. <laugh>. Yeah.

Scott Luton (47:11):

<laugh>. Yes. All right. So Azua, yes. I really appreciate and admire all that you do. Uh, I, it’s great to finally meet you in person for the first time since your last appearance with us, how can more folks connect with you and the, um, I know you gave me an acronym, but I’m, I’m gonna read

Azuka Okeke (47:29):

Esm.

Scott Luton (47:29):

Yeah. So ARC ESM is how y’all refer to Yes. The Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management. How can folks connect with you and learn more about that?

Azuka Okeke (47:39):

The easiest way to connect with me is on LinkedIn. I’m very active on LinkedIn at zuki A N O K K. So, um, um, and then on Twitter, the same handle, Zuki, n o, um, she can just get Zuki, Z U K Y. Okay. N as in nurse. Yeah. And then O k K O k e K E at Zuki. N O K K. She just connect with me there, then we’re on. Yes,

Scott Luton (48:04):

<laugh>, then we’re on and off to the races. I love that. Azua, I really appreciate, you know, uh, I appreciate your action as, as eloquent, uh, as your brilliance is. I love your action, and, and it’s great to connect with you here today and share some of that with our global audience and supply chain now. Thank you. So thanks so much. Thank you

Azuka Okeke (48:22):

So much, and glad to have.

Scott Luton (48:23):

You bet. All right. So folks, hopefully you enjoyed this conversation as much as I have with azua, O K K. Make sure you connect and follow her via LinkedIn and Twitter, and I promise you, you will. Uh, you’ll be missing out if you don’t. But whatever you do, it’s about deeds, not words. Be like Azua, do something about these wicked problems that she, uh, talked about here today. We all have them, uh, but it’s all about what we do, we’re doing about ’em. But whatever you do, uh, stay tuned as we continue our coverage of Saex 2023 here in lovely Cape Town, South Africa, uh, Scott Luden challenging. You do good. Give forward and be the change. And we’ll see you next time, right back here at Apache now. Thanks everybody.

Intro/Outro (49:04):

Thanks for being a part of our supply chain now, community. Check out all of our programming@supplychainnow.com and make sure you subscribe to Supply Chain now, anywhere you listen to podcasts. And follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. See you next time on Supply Chain. Now.