ESPPRA CEO named Africa’s Supply Chain Professional of Year

MBABANE – Eswatini supply chain professional Vusumutiwendvodza Matsebula has been named Africa’s Supply Chain Management Professional of the Year for modernising systems, promoting cooperation and mentoring emerging leaders.

The Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) Chief Executive Officer received first place in the SCM Professional of the Year: Africa Award at the inaugural African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON) Awards, placing Eswatini’s supply chain expertise in the continental spotlight.

The awards were presented during the ASCON Conference held from September 23 to 25, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort in Livingstone, Zambia.

The awards recognised supply chain professionals across Africa for their contributions to governance, sustainability, digital transformation, professional development and the positioning of supply chain management as a strategic function within businesses and public institutions.

Matsebula’s award category specifically assessed professionals on their ability to elevate supply chain management as a strategic discipline, develop education and mobility frameworks, contribute to continental professional upliftment, unite institutions and establish themselves as recognised authorities in the profession.

According to ASCON President Ronald Mlalazi, Matsebula earned the top position for his contribution to modernising procurement, logistics and inventory systems, promoting cross-border cooperation and mentoring emerging supply chain professionals.

“Matsebula demonstrates a strong commitment to professional upliftment through the active mentorship of young professionals, cultivating the next generation of supply chain leaders across Africa,” Mlalazi said.

His recognition comes as supply chain management continues to evolve beyond its traditional role of procurement and logistics towards a broader strategic function that influences organisational efficiency, competitiveness, governance and economic development.

The award also places emphasis on Matsebula’s contribution to developing people within the profession, particularly through mentorship aimed at preparing younger supply chain practitioners for leadership roles.

Matsebula was one of several African professionals recognised during the inaugural ASCON Awards, which were held under the theme “The Boardroom Starts Here: Celebrating the Future CEOs of Africa.”

The awards featured six categories covering strategic leadership, environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, public-sector governance, regional trade integration, executive leadership and professional development.

Mlalazi said the awards sought to recognise achievements ranging from sustainable procurement and public-sector reform to regional trade integration and the development of Africa’s next generation of supply chain professionals.

The SCM Visionary: Strategy & ESG Award was won by Nigeria’s Dr Obiora Madu, founder of Multimix Academy and chairman of the African Centre for Supply Chain.

Madu was recognised for his contribution to developing supply chain expertise across Africa, having trained and mentored executives across the public and private sectors while promoting ethical procurement, strategic sourcing and sustainable supply chain practices.

Kenya’s Dr Erastus Kiswili Nyile, a lecturer at Murang’a University of Technology, took second place in the category for his research and practical contributions to circular economy frameworks, green manufacturing and sustainable procurement.

The SCM CEO/DG of the Year: Africa Award went to Kenneth Matiba, chief executive officer of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management.

Matiba was recognised for leading institutional transformation, strengthening professional accountability and advancing ethical procurement standards.

Under his leadership, the institute has expanded its professional certification programmes through digital transformation while strengthening partnerships between government, academia and industry.

The SCM Governance Champion: Public Trust & Integrity Award was won by Ghana’s Basil Ahiable, who was recognised for his contribution to ethical procurement, institutional accountability and public-sector governance.

Ahiable is a former president of the Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply and board chairman of the Public Procurement Authority.

Rwanda’s Richard Migambi took second place for his work in electronic government procurement across more than 12 African countries.

As chief executive officer of Evolve, Migambi has helped transition procurement processes from paper-based systems to digital platforms designed to improve transparency, monitoring and accountability.

The AfCFTA SCM Architect: Market Integration Award was won by Isac Smith, Chief Director within the Western Cape Provincial Treasury.

Smith was recognised for his work in modernising public-sector procurement frameworks, strengthening asset governance and supporting transparent supply chain systems.

Meanwhile, the SCM Executive of the Year: Africa Award was won by Zimbabwe’s Dr Clever Ruswa, who was recognised for his leadership in public procurement reform and digital transformation.

Ruswa is chief executive officer of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe and former president of the African Public Procurement Network.

Ghana’s Dr Eric Ekow T. Ghansah received second place in the category for his work in transforming procurement from an operational function into a strategic organisational capability.

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