Experts have stressed the need for companies to adopt technology in their procurement and sustainability processes to prevent waste and achieve maximum results.
They made this call at this year’s Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Awards, held recently in Lagos.
The Group Head of Supply Chain, Jospong Group of Companies, Hannah Out, noted that there was a need for companies to be conscious of what they purchase.
She stated that one of the strategies the group had employed over the years was to adopt technology in its procurement process, to ensure that it was buying right.
She said: “One of the criteria the group always insists on in its procurement bidding process is to analyse what the prospective customers or bidders do to protect the environment.”
A representative of the Volta River Authority of Ghana, Jacob Otuche, stated that digitisation had helped the company set up a robust purchase calendar for the year, and virtually engage its customers.
“We have an application that enables us to plan for a whole year. Besides, we have introduced technology into our processes, and this enables us to digitally engage our customers. Through this, we have been able to achieve transparency, and check leakages.
“Inflating procurement costs always harm the company’s bottom line. Our e-transaction card enables digital customer engagement and enhances inventory management with predictive procurement.
“We must know that the internet is there, and the threat is also there. As much as we want to enhance our procurement process digitally and reduce waste, we also must be aware that the internet poses its threats,” he stated.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Supply Chain Management Finance, MTN Nigeria, Mr Adeola Oduntan, stated that, as a telecom company, MTN Nigeria had continued to avail itself of digital opportunities by employing technology in each of the categories of the supply chain.
Commenting on the rationale behind the annual event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of InstinctWave, and the brain behind the summit, Mr Akin Naphtal, said: “The event honoured outstanding procurement experts, teams, and organisations in Africa for their exceptional leadership, ethical practices, and strategic supply chain management, and exhibited brilliance in efficiently managing supplies for their respective organisations.”
According to him, procurement experts have played a vital role in fostering business growth and sustainability in Africa.