Skip to content

Supply Chain Nuggets | A rediscovery of African supply chains

Exploring supply chain stories from an African POV

supply chain nuggets header message
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Nuggets Category
    • Sustainability
    • Logistics
    • Procurement
    • Technology
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Finance & Operations
    • Inventory
    • Production and Planning
  • Home
  • Tech
  • African supply chains can leverage tech solutions for risk mitigation

African supply chains can leverage tech solutions for risk mitigation

Obi Tabansi 15 November 2023
A tech expert showcasing solutions for risk mitigations

Tech solutions are the lifeline of modern day supply chains, and in the African setting, there are so many we can leverage to enhance risk mitigation.

It is true that African supply chains have to combat more challenges than the average supply chain globally. However, these supply chains do not have to do it alone. There are many resources and tech solutions that can help them achieve their goals.

In this article, we will explore some of the tech solutions that come in handy during risk mitigation. 

 

1. Remote training, monitoring, and inspection

Augmented and virtual reality are among the biggest technological advancements in the last few years. Fortunately, they have made their way to the supply chain industry, and those in Africa can also benefit from it.

African supply chains can help these supply chains operate remotely in regions deemed too hot or too risky to send experts or professionals. With these tech solutions, supply chains can train their personnel, monitor operations for efficiency, and conduct necessary inspections.

This way, the supply chains can reduce the cost of logistics and other costs that would typically occur with these sorts of operations. These solutions are especially effective for identifying potential issues before they escalate, and they also help reduce unnecessary downtimes.

The impact will be tremendous for African supply chains; the more they leverage it, the more seamless their supply chain can be.

2. Route Optimization and Spatial Analysis

The road infrastructure is no joke in most regions in Africa. It is one of the crucial challenges these supply chains face. It leads to vehicle damage, loss of goods in low security areas and logistics delays.

With route optimization and spatial analysis, these supply chains can turn the tables. They can reduce delays and properly navigate high traffic regions. Route optimization is a game changer for improved lead times and speedy order fulfilment processes.

With spatial analysis, supply chains can easily identify communities or regions where their operations are at risk. With this tech solution, they can better plan for security and avoid potential disruptions.

P.S: Route optimization is one of Africa’s more widely accepted tech solutions for risk mitigation.

3. Real-time tracking and communication

Information is one of the vital global currencies, and in the supply chain, it is almost everything. Your supply chain runs on information. Whether it is demand forecasting, sourcing, production, or logistics. There is a constant flow of information in the supply chain.

The information making its way throughout the supply chain is necessary for the efficiency of its operation. However, access to this information is what makes it valuable. African supply chains will want to access this information in real-time if they hope to optimize their operation at the highest level.

With tech solutions and cloud base platforms like ERP, GPS tracking, and IoT, African supply chains can facilitate and access real time information. This helps them promote visibility, tracking, and transparency, which leads to seamless communication with all stakeholders.

It also helps track the processes and infrastructure within their operations. When supply chains have access to real-time information, they can easily identify changes or slight adjustments that could put the supply chain at risk.

With real-time access and communication of this information, African supply chains are in a better position to mitigate risks.

4. Predictive Analysis and Digital Twins

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the new kid in the block, and supply chains are milking it. African supply chains can use them for planning operations such as predictive analysis. This entails balancing the demand and supply operations and exploring potential risks that may occur.

On the other hand, digital twins are solutions that allow supply chains to have a digital prototype of their operations. This solution enables simulations and analysis of different scenarios, which helps identify vulnerabilities and potentially risky situations.

With AI, analysis has become so much more convenient and seamless. African supply chains have an opportunity to transform their supply chains. Simply by inputting the right parameters, they have the closest thing to a fortune teller. And it could spell a massive difference in their operations.

5. Robotics and Automation

It is true the African economy is largely informal and traditional. And supply chains across the continent are leveraging it. However, customers are increasingly demanding more from businesses. Customers want fewer errors, faster delivery, and more quality.

Now, supply chains on the continent have no hope of meeting these demands if they continue relying on traditional methods. One of the ways they can meet these demands is through the integration of automation and robotics.

These machines help with different aspects of the supply chain but are particularly efficient in the fulfilment processes. They are typically used to replace manual labour and are great at reducing errors and making the process faster.

They are effective risk mitigation tools, and African supply chains can transform their operations in leaps and bounds by embracing them.

 

There is no shortage of risks in the supply chain. This is a challenge for many African supply chains, but tech solutions abound and are well able to help them combat these risks. However, they are limited by application and integration. African supply chains will need to step up their acceptance if they have any chance of fully utilizing these solutions.

 

Obi Tabansi Profile picture
Obi Tabansi

Obinabo Tochukwu Tabansi is a supply chain digital writer & ghostwriter helping professionals and business owners across Africa explore various strategies that work and learn from the success and failures of various supply chains across the globe. He also ghostwrites social content for logistics & supply chain businesses

supplychainnuggets.com/obitabansi
Tags: risk management solutions tech

Continue Reading

Previous: How African supply chains navigate it’s informal economy
Next: Is Africa ready for a supply chain sustainability push?

Related Nuggets

MTN's supply chain depiction

Discover The Principles Behind MTN’s Supply Chain Success

Obi Tabansi 20 May 2025
Walmart's food supply chain process

How Walmart’s Food Supply Chain Used Blockchain to Enhance Traceability

Obi Tabansi 18 May 2025
Zipline Transforms Healthcare Logistics in Africa

How Zipline’s Drone Technology is Transforming Healthcare Logistics in Africa

Obi Tabansi 13 April 2025
SCN Daily Signup

Subscribe and enjoy African supply chain concepts shipped directly to your inbox.

Enter your email address

You may have missed

Dollar General's Inventory depiction

Dollar General’s Inventory Overstocking Mistake That Cost Millions

Obi Tabansi 28 May 2025
Massmart's supply chain in crisis

How Massmart’s Supply Chain Survived South Africa’s 2021 Unrest

Obi Tabansi 24 May 2025
Unilever Nigeria local sourcing strategy

Unilever Nigeria’s Local Sourcing Strategy That Beat Forex Challenges

Obi Tabansi 24 May 2025
Kellogg's supply chain labor crisis

How Kellogg’s Supply Chain Navigated the 2021 Workers’ Strike

Obi Tabansi 24 May 2025
  • About This Blog
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Signup
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Linkedin group

Supply Chain Nuggets is Africa’s #1 digital supply chain publication set up to help you explore practical insights and strategies that work by learning from various global supply chain stories.

Email: info@supplychainnuggets.com

Copyright © SCN Media 2025 | MoreNews by AF themes.
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Email
A supply chain professional on an email list
Be A Part Of Our Community

Subscribe now and get daily supply chain insights shipped straight to your inbox. 

Name
Enter your email address

No thanks, I’m not interested!