The Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain – Africa (CARISCA) has successfully hosted its fifth annual Supply Chain Research Summit. This year’s event, held from July 16 to 18, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, explored the theme Reimagining Africa’s Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future.
“This is the first time CARISCA has held the Summit outside Ghana. CARISCA’s intention is to become a Pan-African initiative center,” said Professor Adegoke Oke, Summit Co-chair and professor at Arizona State University.
Professor Nathaniel Boso, CARISCA Centre Director and Co-chair, added, “We chose Nigeria because it is the largest economy in Africa and home to a highly diverse population. It made sense to bring the summit here this year.”
CARISCA’s Supply Chain Research Summit is a central initiative designed to strengthen supply chain capacity across Africa while advancing research that speaks to global audiences.
“We achieve this by bringing together academic and non-academic researchers with stakeholders from the public, private and civil society sectors,” said Professor Boso. “Together, we foster dialogue that addresses Africa’s complex supply chain challenges.”
The summit created opportunities for academics and industry professionals to connect and collaborate. It also promoted strategies for enhancing supply chain resilience and improving competitiveness across the continent.
Over three days, more than 100 students, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers presented papers across four thematic tracks. Attendees came from Nigeria, Ghana, and other parts of Africa, as well as from the United States, United Kingdom, and other regions. This global and interdisciplinary presence reflects the summit’s growing reputation and reach.
“The Summit brings people together from around the world,” said Professor Glenn Richey from Auburn University. “If we can work together to improve research that improves industry, then maybe we can improve the lives of people and businesses everywhere.”
Keynote Speakers
This year’s summit featured five keynote speakers whose insights aligned with the summit’s theme, Reimagining Africa’s Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future:
Dr. Obiora Madu, Founder and CEO of Multimix Academy and Director General of the African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC), explored the future of Africa’s supply chains and their link to sustainable development
Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Commissioner for Health and Human Services in Ekiti State, Nigeria, delivered a talk on “Enhancing Quality and Expanding Access,” with a focus on how pooled procurement can improve healthcare delivery
Raphael Ajayi, Director of Supply Chain at Fidson Pharmaceuticals, provided practical insights on managing pharmaceutical supply chain challenges in Nigeria
Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, Managing Director of Lelook Nigeria Limited
Professor Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School
“I believe every session had something in stock,” said Mrs. Funmilayo Olotu, CEO of B.O.O.M. Consult. “We heard so much about supply chains in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and food. We also had students showcasing how their research is contributing to the field.”
Engaging Panel Sessions
The Summit also hosted three engaging panel discussions. These were carefully designed to reflect CARISCA’s aim of bridging the gap between research and practice. Whether you were a student, policymaker, researcher, or industry leader, each session offered something valuable.
The Inclusion in Supply Chain Panel explored themes of equity, representation, and leadership within African supply chains. Speakers discussed how to empower women and local leaders, how to better connect formal and informal supply chains, and how inclusive policies can ensure that no stakeholder is left out.
The Health Supply Chain Panel brought together leaders in Nigeria’s healthcare system to explore how states can collaborate on medicine access, logistics, and improved coordination between public and private actors. With speakers like Dr. Filani and representatives from drug agencies and pharmaceutical companies, the session provided key takeaways for public health officials, donors, supply chain experts, and students.
The Journal Editors Panel gave researchers the opportunity to learn directly from editors of top global journals, including the International Journal of Logistics Management, Journal of Business Logistics, and Journal of Supply Chain Management. Discussions focused on how to navigate peer review, how to identify impactful research areas, and how to publish in high-impact outlets. The session supported CARISCA’s broader mission of building research capacity and was especially useful for doctoral students and early-career academics.
Launch of the CARISCA Best Paper Award
A major highlight at this year’s summit was the introduction of the CARISCA Best Paper Award. This new initiative celebrates excellent research in supply chain management.
The inaugural award went to Professor Henry Kofi Mensah and his research team from the KNUST School of Business. Their paper, titled Technological Capabilities and Supply Chain Value Creation: Exploring the Roles of Circular Economy Practices and Organizational Climate, was selected for its originality and relevance. The award was sponsored by the International Journal of Logistics Management and presented by Associate Editor Professor Nachiappan Subramanian of the University of Sussex.
Other finalists for the award were Carolina Moreno Suárez, Beatrice Mbinya, and Amaka Agusiobo.
PhD Dissertation Award
The PhD Dissertation Competition continues to be one of the summit’s most anticipated features. Each year, the competition highlights outstanding doctoral research in logistics and supply chain management from African institutions.
This year’s winner was Esther Ntumy Lartey from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Alfred Sallwa from Mzumbe University in Tanzania was named First Runner-up. For the first time, there was a tie for Second Runner-up between Prince Opoku of KNUST and Jonas Shafondino Kamakela of the University of Mauritius.
Partners and Sponsors
The 2025 Summit was organized in partnership with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, LEARN Logistics by Kühne Foundation, Arizona State University, the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, Federal University of Technology Owerri, and Lagos State University.
Sponsors included LEARN Logistics by Kühne Foundation as Headline Sponsor. Platinum sponsors were the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, Arizona State University, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Kaizen Institute.