KwaZulu-Natal’s largest supply chain and procurement conference will return to Durban this year after a four-year hiatus. Hosted by eThekwini Municipality in partnership with Smart Procurement World, the fifth KwaZulu-Natal Smart Procurement World event will bring together stakeholders committed to enhancing the region’s infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities to drive sustainable growth and enable supply chain resilience.

This important gathering takes place at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from 25 to 27 June 2024. It will be held under the theme “Strengthening Infrastructure and Manufacturing Supply Chains for Future Growth”.

“This conference is more important than ever as we navigate the various challenges and opportunities brought on by recent events in KwaZulu-Natal, including the devastating floods,” comments Smart Procurement chief operating officer Debbie Tagg. She stresses that in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, robust, flexible supply chains are crucial for economies, businesses and communities to survive and thrive.

The conference will enable industry leaders, experts and stakeholders to share, explore and develop innovative strategies, best practices and emerging technologies that will shape the future of supply chain management in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond the region. “We will engage in insightful discussions, share experiences and forge collaborations to drive positive change and propel our supply chains toward greater efficiency, agility and competitiveness,” Tagg states.

The event’s compelling key sessions include a powerful presentation on empowering local economies by leveraging set-asides and preferential procurement for effective localisation strategies. The roles of Government and public entities in ensuring supply chain resilience will also be discussed. The hot topic of energy procurement is on the programme, with a not to be missed exploration of the journey for municipalities, including the opportunities, challenges and success stories. Black swans, which are unpredictable events with potentially devastating consequences, will be in the spotlight in an insightful session that unpacks KwaZulu-Natal’s response to an unprecedented “triple threat”, namely the aftermath of COVID-19, the destructive riots and the floods that have wreaked devastation in the province .

The 2024 KwaZulu-Natal Smart Procurement World event comprises a two-day conference followed by one day of practical, interactive workshops. The exhibition running alongside the conference will showcase the latest products, services, tools and technologies shaping today’s most efficient supply chains.