Procurement fraud, tariffs, and ethical sourcing are set to dominate discussions at the 19th annual Smart Procurement World Indaba, which takes place in Johannesburg from September 15-18.
According to the organisers, more than 2 000 delegates from the private and public sectors are expected to attend the specialised conference for procurement and inbound supply chain professionals.
Amid fluctuating global markets, rising tariffs, and accelerating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) requirements, procurement has evolved from a cost-cutting back-office role into a strategic driver of innovation, collaboration, supply chain resilience, sustainability, and value creation, according to Smart Procurement.
Smart Procurement CEO Debbie Tagg said the 2025 Indaba theme, “Game On - it’s time to step up,” served as a call to action.
“Game on is a rallying call to choose the right strategy and the right team with the required skills. It is a call to be a team player, collaborating across the supply chain to deliver real value and thrive in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (Vuca) business environment,” Tagg said.
The event will feature four key summits: the Sustainability Summit Africa, the Corporate Sourcing and Supply Chain Summit, the Public Sector Supply Chain Summit, and the Leaders’ Forum.
A pre-conference workshop on combating procurement fraud through accountability and multidisciplinary action will be a highlight. Facilitated by Clarence Jones, formerly of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the session will help delegates to identify and mitigate fraud and corruption risks. It will cover the role of multidisciplinary teams, the importance of whistle-blowers and accountability mechanisms, and practical controls like segregation of duties and electronic payment systems.
“It’s critical that we promote transparency, proper documentation and a culture of integrity in procurement,” Jones said.
The conference’s opening day includes two keynote addresses: one on procurement’s role in advancing enterprise and supplier development (ESD), and another by Investec economist Lara Hodes on navigating global sourcing complexities amid deglobalisation, near-shoring, tariffs, and supply uncertainty. Hodes will outline strategies for South African businesses to maintain a competitive edge.
Day two spotlights artificial intelligence (AI), with a presentation titled “AI, Agility and the New Rules of the Game” by Imperium managing director Jan Potgieter. He argues that in volatile supply chains with abundant data, success depends on influencing human behaviour while scaling decisions through systems. The session will explore how future procurement leaders must excel in emotionally intelligent deal-making and AI-enabled negotiation infrastructure.
Amy Hervey, founder of Architech, will deliver a keynote examining whether AI will displace jobs in sectors such as mining, sport, finance, and retail. Using case studies, Hervey emphasises that transformation begins with human agency rather than technology, offering strategies to build adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and technically skilled teams.
Hervey’s talk will transition into a panel discussion with experts Kevin Lomax, vice president and South African managing director of Wings, and Pascalle Albrecht, commercial issuing executive at Absa Group. The panel will address how the travel industry and financial services are integrating AI while preserving the essential human element.
“In a world shaped by disruption, economic volatility, environmental pressures and complex regulatory landscapes, procurement must shift from operational to strategic. To reduce risk and boost supply chain resilience, drive ESG compliance and sustainable development, and to support SME growth through inclusion and enterprise development, it is imperative that we up our game now,” Tagg said.
The Indaba’s expo will attract over 600 procurement decision-makers and include a “Go Green Zone”, highlighting sustainable procurement solutions, from eco-friendly products to waste-reduction strategies.
For more information or to register, visit https://smartprocurementworld.com/indaba/ or email info@smartprocurementworld.com.
