Tolga Yaprak

Get ready to increase your supply chain IQ! Check out all the latest episodes, interviews, conversations, and livestreams from this week right here! On Saturday, Karin Bursa welcomed Manda Hunt from the Empty Stocking Fund to TEK TOK to talk about how the organization transformed from a brick and mortar model to an online virtual gift selection.     On Sunday, Scott and Greg welcomed Mark Morley from OpenText to the podcast to share his key observations in the latest supply chain tech.     On Monday’s podcast episode, Wasim Munayyer from the Munayyer Group joined Jamin on Logistics & Beyond to talk about the three traits needed to succeed when it comes to optimizing technology in the freight space & the importance of leveraging available resources and information related to tech.     On Tuesday, Scott Luton and special co-host Page Siplon with TeamOne Logistics welcome an esteemed panel of mental health advocates on the podcast: John Hearn with The Benefit Company and established healthcare leader, Yinka Ajirotutu.     On Wednesday, Scott Luton and Greg White welcome Eric Olson with Total Quality Logistics and Bobby Holland with U.S. Bank to talk about the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index.…

Special Guest Blog Post written by Stela Jaqueta   In today’s fast-changing world, Africa’s role in global supply chains is at a tipping point. For too long, the continent has been viewed primarily as a source of raw materials rather than as a strategic partner in value creation. But what if we reimagined everything, from policies and technologies to mindsets and sustainability practices, through an Africa-centered lens? In this blog post, I explore five questions that challenge conventional supply chain thinking. From redefining Africa’s place at the global negotiation table, to elevating cultural intelligence from “soft skill” to strategic necessity, to designing climate-restorative logistics and embracing the digital revolution in a way that includes youth-led and informal businesses, each question is a call to rethink, redesign, and re-center. 1. What would a truly Africa-centered global supply chain look like? A truly Africa-centered global supply chain would shift from a model of extraction to one of empowerment and value creation. It would prioritize investment in local manufacturing, infrastructure, and knowledge transfer, ensuring that raw materials sourced from Africa are processed, packaged, and innovated on the continent. African-led businesses are seen as power players, with a voice and authority at the negotiation…