The Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain – Africa (CARISCA) successfully hosted its inaugural Supply Chain Business Forum and Exhibition at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra from July 29 to 30, 2024. Themed "Navigating the Future of Supply Chains in Africa," the event sought to enhance supply chain management practices across the African continent.

During the opening ceremony, Professor Nathaniel Boso, the Centre Director at CARISCA, KNUST, highlighted the Centre's commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry. "CARISCA aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry," he affirmed. He further noted that the forum provided a platform for collaboration between academia and industry, leveraging university-conducted research to address pressing business challenges. As an example of such collaboration, Professor Boso mentioned the initiation of the Ghana Logistics Managers Index, stating, "We are working with industry partners to develop a new tool for tracking economic activities, including transportation and warehousing, and to examine how inefficiencies in the supply chain contribute to rising prices."

Professor Dale Rogers, the Principal Investigator (PI) at CARISCA, also underscored the forum's role in fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers. He posed critical questions, such as, "What are the best supply chain practices throughout the African continent? And what support does African business need from leading-edge university research?" He emphasised the need for a collective effort, remarking that, "the key outcome we seek from this Forum is to link academia, industry, and policymakers. We need all three of these institutions to work together to address the significant challenges in African supply chain management."

The event featured keynote addresses from distinguished business executives from Africa, Europe, and the United States of America. Also, panel discussions on supply chain traceability in sectors such as cocoa, coffee, and health, as well as presentations on the Ghana Logistics Managers Index (LMI) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) were featured.

In her keynote address, Ruby Amegah, Vice President of Global Food Product Research and Development at Starbucks, emphasised Africa's abundant resources as pivotal opportunities for the supply chain sector. "We have everything; the global supply chain revolves around Africa," she observed, underscoring the continent's critical role and potential for growth. However, she cautioned that realising this potential requires significant investment. "The future of Africa's supply chains is promising, but realising this potential depends on strategic investments from the private sector in partnership with governments operating within a transparent regulatory framework."

The Business Forum attracted over 270 business leaders, supply chain professionals, and academics. A notable feature of the event was the exhibition space, which allowed sponsors and companies to showcase their innovative products and services to attendees. Sponsors included CONSHIP, Jospong Group of Companies, M&M Militzer & Munch, Interplast Ghana, and Think Media Ghana.

CARISCA, a collaborative initiative between Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi and Arizona State University, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to be a globally recognised and locally owned hub for innovative research that drives positive development outcomes for Ghana and Pan-African supply chains, promoting self-reliance.