Jon Cox

The top supply chain trends in Africa right now include ecommerce, sustainability, technology and skills development. The e-commerce boom that was fuelled by Covid-19 is showing no signs of slowing. It is predicted that in 2025, e-commerce transactions in South Africa will grow 150% to R225 billion. While African consumers are clearly sold on the speed and convenience of online shopping, they are also increasingly recognising that there is an environmental price to be paid, and they are demanding greener e-commerce supply chains. African businesses also recognise that to compete on the global stage, and for Africa to rise as the supply chain powerhouse that many predict it can be, they must align with global environmental standards. Integrating sustainability into supply chain and logistics is therefore a growing imperative in Africa. African companies are investing in technologies like electric vehicles, renewable energy sources and advanced data analytics to measure, manage and minimise their environmental impact. They are optimising transportation routes to have fewer vehicles on the road and to cut CO2 emissions. They are adopting circular supply chain models, to get more use out of products and move beyond the traditional “take-make-waste” approach. Takealot, which is South Africa’s largest online…

We are proud to announce that Scott Luton, Founder and CEO of Supply Chain Now, has once again been recognized as the #1 Global Thought Leader and Influencer on Supply Chain for 2025 by Thinkers360—marking his second consecutive year at the very top of this prestigious list. This exceptional distinction reaffirms Scott’s ongoing leadership and influence in the global supply chain arena. Under his dynamic stewardship, Supply Chain Now has grown into an award-winning digital content platform—delivering podcasts, livestreams, webinars, and virtual events that resonate across more than 60 countries. Scott’s voice continues to shape and empower the industry, inspiring professionals worldwide with insights that drive innovation and progress. Learn more here.