As supply chain networks grow increasingly unstable, the need for efficiency has become a central topic of discussion. This is why tracking and monitoring products, information, and processes across the entire supply chain network in real time is crucial. At its core, that is what supply chain visibility is about.
What does supply chain visibility look like for Africa, and how can we leverage technology to enhance supply chain visibility?
These are just a few of the many questions we will answer in this article as we imagine a tech-enabled future for pan-African trade.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
The unwritten golden rule of the 21st century in supply chain management is to expect the unexpected. This is especially true as global events can directly impact an organisation’s supply chain.
READ NOW: 5 steps to ensure your procurement process is loss-proof
Why Supply Chain Visibility Matters in Africa
Today, organizations worldwide benefit from enhanced supply chain visibility, gaining real-time insights into supplier performance, inventory levels, and potential risks.
Given Africa’s diverse and complex market landscape, supply chain visibility is crucial for optimising operations and ensuring seamless logistics.
With access to real-time data, businesses can:
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks
- Comply with customs and regulatory requirements.
- Optimise processes and eliminate inefficiencies.
- Reduce costs and enhance overall performance.
- Bridging information gaps and improving data-driven decision-making
- Strengthen their competitive edge.
- Minimise lead times and improve responsiveness.
Enhancing visibility across supply chains will enable African businesses to operate more efficiently, reduce disruptions, and better integrate into global trade networks. Moreso, with a framework like the AfCFTA, Africa’s supply chain is bound to diversify further.
Addressing Africa’s untapped potential for global supply chain diversification
African countries have immense untapped potential to support global supply chain diversification. With proximity to key raw material sources like mines and farmlands, the continent can offer a strategic advantage by lowering transportation and shipping costs.
This makes Africa an attractive destination for manufacturers of mineral-intensive/commodity-intensive products looking to relocate parts of their supply chains and invest in the extractive parts.
However, despite this, proper end-to-end visibility has been an elusive goal for many businesses. With supplier networks spanning dozens of countries and suppliers, achieving end-to-end visibility is even more difficult.
Leveraging digital technologies makes it easier to connect with far-reaching suppliers and collect critical data points that provide real-time insights.
The role of digitisation in enhancing supply chain visibility in Africa
Digital technologies, through online marketplaces and digital supply chain platforms, autonomous supply chains, and technological devices, could help diversify and strengthen supply chains in Africa.
Digitization is essential for production, operations, and logistics in many industries. Adopting digital technologies enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and strengthens competitive advantage at the firm level. At the supplier level, digitization improves reach and guarantees growth.
However, as digital platforms and emerging technologies become essential for operational efficiency and supply chain resilience, improving affordability and accessibility in Africa will be critical.
Accelerating Africa’s technological transformation can strengthen the continent’s supply chain and operational capabilities. Over time, this will position Africa to capitalise on emerging opportunities in global supply chain diversification in real time.
Benefits of a Tech-enabled supply chain in Africa
With technology, Africa can diversify its supply chain and improve visibility for stakeholders across the various countries.
This would come with many benefits, including;
- Preventing supply chain disruption: Autonomous systems can dynamically reroute and adjust operations in response to disruptions across a wider network of suppliers and logistics options.
- Optimizing Efficiency: Tech-enabled systems allow stakeholders to analyze data from diverse sources to identify the most efficient pathways and resource allocation across the expanded supply chain.
- Increased SME participation: According to a report by the world bank, microbusinesses and self-employed entrepreneurs account for 84% of total jobs in Africa. Adopting digital technologies can facilitate the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in supply chains and strengthen their linkages with firms already integrated into global networks.
- Expanding the Supplier Base: With technology, Africa can further diversify supply chains, reducing reliance on a few large suppliers and fostering a more competitive and innovative ecosystem.
- Promoting Local and Regional Economic Development: Technology improves supplier visibility, strengthening local economies while creating resilient regional supply networks.
- Enhancing Agility and Responsiveness: A network of smaller, more agile SMEs can respond more quickly to changing demands and market fluctuations than large, monolithic suppliers.
- Proactive Risk Identification and Mitigation: Diversification spreads risk across multiple entities and locations. Improved visibility allows for early detection of potential disruptions in any part of the network, enabling quicker intervention and mitigation.
As Africa advances, continuous innovation is needed to drive competitiveness. Matta is a result of this constant need to inject new ideas, technologies, and approaches into Africa’s supply chain.
Enhance Supply Chain Visibility with Matta
African supply chains are complex, spanning multiple countries with different tax structures and regulations catering to ever-changing customer demands. Without the right tools, navigating these challenges can be overwhelming.
Matta is Africa’s premier digital b2b marketplace for Chemicals, Raw materials, ingredients, and commodities. We seamlessly connect buyers and sellers of the essential raw materials- fuelling Africa’s industrial growth- into a unified marketplace.
With our platform, you can leverage supply chain diversification and connect with a broad range of trusted suppliers within and outside Africa.
For us, enhancing supply chain visibility in Africa is a never-ending process, and we will continue to seek new ways to
Join us as we continually enable Africa’s supply chain diversification.
Thank you for reading.
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Supply chain visibility is indeed a game-changer for Africa’s trade landscape, especially given the unpredictable disruptions businesses face todayBlog Comment Creation. Leveraging real-time tracking and digital transparency can help companies minimize delays and enhance efficiency across borders. It would be interesting to explore how emerging technologies like blockchain and AI are being integrated into Africa’s supply chains—are there any standout case studies you’ve come across?