Joshua Lebarre

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…

The right match unlocks efficiency, visibility, and cost control—without drowning in unused features Special Guest Blog Post written by e2open   When picking a Transportation Management System (TMS), shiny features, slick dashboards, and buzzwords can be distracting. But here’s the truth: real ROI doesn’t come from having the most bells and whistles. It comes from finding a TMS that fits your transportation complexity like a glove.   Too simple, and you’ll outgrow it before the ink is dry. Too complex, and you’ll be paying for tools you don’t use. Nail the fit, though, and other KPIs like cost savings, faster execution, and happier customers will slide into place.   How to pick a TMS that fits your freight   Carriers and LSPs running on legacy systems miss out on the real-time visibility and cost control a modern TMS delivers, leaving them slower, less efficient, and easier to undercut. Let’s unpack how to look beyond flashy features and choose a TMS that works for your business:   Match complexity first. The biggest ROI driver is aligning your TMS with your transportation complexity. Get that right, and everything else follows.   Consider adaptability and scalability. Your TMS should grow with you. Look…