Organisations and professionals driving innovation, sustainability, transformation and economic impact through procurement and supply chain management were recognised at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Southern Africa Connect & Engage Conference and Awards 2026 Gala Dinner, held at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg on 5 August.

The awards formed part of the two-day conference hosted by CIPS, the world's leading professional body for procurement and supply management, representing more than 200,000 professionals and learners across 180 countries.

Held under the theme 'Connect, Engage, Through Excellence', the conference brought together more than 300 business leaders, policymakers and procurement professionals from across Africa to explore the growing role of procurement in driving economic growth, resilience and competitiveness.
 

Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruption, climate risk and rapid technological change, delegates examined key issues including digital transformation, AI, governance, public procurement reform, sustainability, supplier development, Pan-African trade integration and future leadership.

Opening the conference, SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu urged procurement professionals to move beyond cost reduction and become drivers of economic growth, infrastructure delivery and national competitiveness.

CIPS Global CEO Ben Farrell reinforced this message, noting that procurement professionals are operating at one of the most significant moments in the profession's history, with increasing responsibility for enterprise risk, organisational resilience, sustainability, artificial intelligence, governance and long-term strategic decision-making.

The conference also marked the start of Women's Month, with leaders from the South African Reserve Bank, DP World, Ericsson and Mascom Wireless highlighting how women are increasingly being recognised for the business value they create, not simply the diversity they represent.
 

Against this backdrop, the CIPS Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards celebrated organisations and individuals whose achievements reflect many of the themes explored throughout the conference.

Among the evening's standout performers was Joburg Market, which received both the Best Approach to Risk Mitigation award for its "From Compliance to Excellence: A Journey Sustained" initiative and Procurement Team of the Year (Large Organisation).

FSD Africa also enjoyed a successful evening, winning Procurement Team of the Year (Small Organisation), Best Initiative to Deliver Social Value through Procurement for its work supporting Africa's first listed gender bond, the Jasiri Bond, and Best Sustainability Project for its strategic sourcing and ESG assurance work on Tanzania's first green bond, the Kijani Green Bond.

Meanwhile, SAICA was recognised across multiple categories for its commitment to transformation, supplier diversity and people development, while organisations including Oceana Group Limited, MTN Uganda, Central Bank of Eswatini, Eskom Holdings and Mopani Copper Mines Plc were acknowledged for excellence in collaboration, supplier development, digital innovation and public procurement.

Individual excellence was also celebrated. Lesego Sineke of Rand Water received the prestigious SheInspires Award in recognition of her contribution to the profession, while Dr Clever Ruswa, Chief Executive Officer of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), was named Leader of the Year. Rochelle Jacobs of the Western Cape Government received the Young Talent Award, recognising emerging leadership within the profession.

According to Paul Vos, Regional Managing Director of CIPS Southern Africa, the calibre of this year's winners reflects the growing strategic importance of procurement across both the public and private sectors.

"These awards recognise far more than operational excellence. The organisations and individuals honoured this year demonstrate how procurement can create business value, strengthen governance, improve resilience, support sustainability, drive economic inclusion and contribute to broader development objectives," says Vos.

"What stood out throughout both the conference and awards programme was the extent to which procurement is now influencing organisational strategy and long-term performance. Whether through digital innovation, supplier development, sustainability initiatives, public-sector transformation or leadership excellence, this year's winners demonstrate the powerful role procurement can play in helping organisations and economies navigate an increasingly complex world."

As the conference concluded, delegates left with a clear message: procurement and supply chain management are no longer back-office functions focused solely on cost control. They have become strategic disciplines that influence competitiveness, resilience, investment confidence and sustainable economic growth across Africa.

Full List of CIPS Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards 2026 Winners

Best Approach to Risk Mitigation
Winner: Joburg Market
From Compliance to Excellence: A Journey Sustained

Procurement Team of the Year – Large Organisation
Winner: Joburg Market

Best Collaborative Teamwork Project
Winner: Oceana Group Limited
Unlocking Working Capital Through Procurement

Procurement Team of the Year – Small Organisation
Winner: FSD Africa

Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supplier Base
Winner: MTN Uganda Ltd
Advancing Women Entrepreneurs

Best Initiative to Deliver Social Value through Procurement
Winner: FSD Africa
Strategic Sourcing and ESG Assurance for Africa's First Listed Gender Bond – Jasiri Bond

Best Transformation Programme
Winner: SAICA
Procurement as a Catalyst: Enabling Enterprise Growth, Job Creation and Inclusive Supply Chains

Best Sustainability Project
Winner: FSD Africa
Strategic Sourcing and ESG Assurance for Tanzania's First Green Bond – Kijani Green Bond

Best Use of Digital Technology
Winner: Central Bank of Eswatini
E-Procurement System Design and Implementation

Public Procurement Project of the Year
Winner: Eskom Holdings
Eskom AIDC / Barcoding Project: Digitising Warehouse Controls to Protect Critical Generation Inventory

SheInspires Award
Winner: Lesego Sineke (Rand Water)

Leader of the Year
Winner: Dr Clever Ruswa (Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ))

Young Talent Award
Winner: Rochelle Jacobs (Western Cape Government)

Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion Practices in Procurement Teams
Winner: SAICA
Inclusive Procurement in Action: Driving Economic Transformation through Supplier Diversity and Development

Best Supplier Relationship Management Initiative
Winner: Mopani Copper Mines Plc
Supplier Development & Empowerment Program

Outstanding People Development Programme
Winner: SAICA
SAICA Procurement Transformation: Building a High-Performing Ethical Procurement Function