Disruption isn’t an occasional challenge anymore. And that’s forcing supply chain leaders to think differently about how they operate.

In this episode, Scott Luton is joined by Thato Moloi, President of SAPICS and an expert in African supply chains, to discuss the trends impacting the industry. Thato shares insights on how global supply chain disruptions have become the norm and explains why resilience and adaptability are crucial for leaders in 2026. He also delves into the transformative role of AI and technology in driving efficiency, especially in logistics and warehouse management across the continent.

They explore how African supply chains are evolving through innovation, regionalization, and the increasing importance of workforce development. You’ll hear practical examples of how companies are leveraging AI for better decision-making and optimizing their supply chains to meet growing demands in today’s fast-paced world.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) The power of SAPICS

(08:54) The complexity of Africa's cold chain & fruit export

(11:31) Six trends shaping African supply chains in 2026

(14:14) Data-driven decisions and why AI is now essential

(16:43) Practical AI applications transforming African warehouses

(23:47) Workforce evolution and the fight for scarce skills

(28:30) Geopolitics, resilience, and the Eisenhower planning lesson

(34:06) A defining year for African supply chains

(41:00) The essentials of supply chain leadership

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Thato Moloi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thato-moloi-mba-5132b7122/
• Learn more about SAPICS: https://www.sapics.org.za/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
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• WEBINAR- From Workforce Planning to Hourly Performance Management: How GEODIS Americas Turned Labor Productivity into a Growth Engine: https://bit.ly/4blRfKp
• WEBINAR- Ahead of Disruption: How AI-First Design Builds Supply Chain Resilience — and Transforms the Teams Behind It: https://bit.ly/4ldRn3b

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/supply-chain-leadership-transforming-africas-industry-1567