Transforming Africa’s Supply Chain: Insights from Adenike Onasoga on Collaboration, Technology, and Sustainability
Adenike Onasoga is a global supply chain leader, business executive, and author of World’s first supply chain children’s book “Semira and the Toy Trailblazers”. Recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Supply Chain and 30 African Women Inspiring Innovative Solutions by Supply Chain Africa, Adenike is a thought leader shaping the future of supply chain management and digital transformation in the continent.
With over 15 years of experience, she has driven logistics optimisation, cost reduction, and operational efficiency in prominent FMCGs including Unilever Plc. and Kimberly-Clark Nigeria. She’s currently the Senior Consultant and Executive Director of Truss Ugavi Nigeria Limited.
Adenike holds an Executive MBA in Business Administration and Management from Business School Netherlands. She’s also a Certified SCRUM Master.
She shared her insights on the supply chain industry in an exclusive interview with Supply Chain First.
How Can Nigeria and Africa Develop and Sustain a Thriving Supply Chain Industry?
One of the blessings the pandemic taught us is the importance of self-reflection understanding what we do well, identifying our strengths, and learning how to focus on them.
Secondly, collaboration and partnership are crucial, yet we don’t engage in them enough in this part of the world. Many small organizations operate independently, which is both fortunate and unfortunate. It is fortunate because it fosters resilience, but unfortunate because it also leads to a short lifespan. Statistics show that most small businesses have a shelf life of about five years.
To sustain growth, we must embrace collaboration. Understanding your core strengths is essential, but so is recognizing the areas where partnerships are needed. Identifying the right partners, determining the additional resources required, and ensuring that collaborations bring real value are key aspects of successful partnerships.
Moreover, we must leverage technology. When people hear “technology,” they often think of generative AI or large-scale ERPs, which are great. However, Africa’s so-called “backwardness” can be an advantage. We can learn from the experiences of more developed nations and adopt proven solutions without having to start from scratch. This allows us to integrate technology cost-effectively and maximize its benefits without heavy investment.
There are many opportunities, but these stand out as the most significant.
How can localized manufacturing companies help reduce Africa’s reliance on international imports?
Cost is a major factor—one of the key reasons why supply chains are complex and expensive, especially in this part of the world. Localized manufacturing companies can help by bringing production closer to home, reducing the need for long-distance imports. For example, about 90% of manufacturers rely on imported raw materials. However, if we develop more local sources for raw materials, we can shorten the supply chain, making it more efficient.
Additionally, relying less on external suppliers minimizes exposure to global disruptions, giving businesses greater control over their supply chains. This leads to cost savings, improved availability of goods, and enhanced quality.
Quality is another major opportunity. To fully leverage localized manufacturing, there must be a balance but a “handshake” between global standards and local insights to ensure that locally produced goods meet international quality benchmarks.
What impact are technologies like automation having on the supply chain in Africa, particularly in Nigeria?
Technology is having a huge impact on every aspect of business today, though its penetration in Africa, particularly Nigeria, remains relatively low. We need to examine this from two perspectives.
First, multinational and large manufacturing organizations benefit from the infrastructure and technological advancements provided by their parent companies. Many of them have already implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and other technologies. For example, one of the companies I worked with was among the first to introduce ERP to Nigeria over 15 years ago when it was still relatively unheard of. These multinationals have built strong internal ecosystems but still rely on external infrastructure, such as ports, which they cannot automate or improve on their own. Despite this reliance, their internal processes have a high level of technology adoption.
On the other hand, small businesses which have been my passion for the last five years are the real drivers of the Nigerian economy, contributing significantly to GDP. However, technology penetration among small businesses remains low. Is this due to cost? Yes. Is it because they lack the desire to improve efficiency? Not necessarily. Many small businesses want to work more efficiently but face barriers such as high costs and limited knowledge about available solutions.
One common misconception is that small businesses need to invest heavily in technology like large corporations do. In reality, they can start small—for instance, by using affordable accounting software or lightweight ERP solutions instead of investing in expensive enterprise systems. The key is understanding that technology adoption is a journey, not an instant fix.
For any organization, whether large or small, integrating technology requires a clear roadmap. Businesses must outline their journey, define their goals, and plan their investments on a daily, monthly, and annual basis. Moreover, technology is constantly evolving, what seems cutting-edge today will become outdated tomorrow. Therefore, organizations must remain flexible, embedding technology in a way that enhances their operations without causing short-term disruptions.
How can African companies enhance supply chain sustainability while maintaining cost efficiency?
Partnership is key but supply chains that function as interconnected systems where one company’s output can serve as another’s input, and vice versa. Understanding the value chain is essential, from services to production, processes, and even sustainability. When businesses recognize how they fit together and how the chain flows, it can significantly enhance efficiency and long-term sustainability.
How will the relationship between suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers evolve in the coming years to create a more agile and responsive supply chain?
Technology plays a crucial role in modern supply chains, which are global, principle-based, and driven by continuous improvement. Success depends on understanding and applying these principles effectively.
Collaboration is key but suppliers must recognize that their output is essential for manufacturers, just as logistics providers depend on production to have goods to transport. Efficiency is critical, and technology facilitates this by enhancing planning and coordination.
For example, predictive and descriptive AI can help manufacturers and buyers plan ahead, optimizing operations without requiring massive investments. The focus should be on leveraging available data and analyzing it effectively to drive efficiency and responsiveness in the supply chain.
How can manufacturers optimize inventory and efficiently manage fluctuating demand?
Technology plays a significant role as an enabler, allowing businesses to operate efficiently, maintain quality, and minimize human error. However, the key challenge lies in ensuring that the people using the technology understand its role in optimizing inventory, reducing losses, and maintaining quality at all times.
A major knowledge gap exists in the market today, and it continues to widen as trained professionals migrate to countries like Canada and the United States. Despite this, companies must continue investing in both technology and workforce training to fully leverage technology as an enabler in inventory management and overall supply chain optimization.
What is your passion?
My passion as a supply chain professional is making supply chain concepts accessible to everyone. Even simple tasks, like buying groceries monthly, involve supply chain processes. Hospitals managing pharmacies and ensuring a stable power supply are also part of the supply chain. I once experienced a hospital power outage where both the main and backup systems failed—this was a clear supply chain gap. My passion is to help people realize that supply chain management is deeply integrated into daily life and is not as complex as it seems.
