Demand Planning & Management
This category acknowledges initiatives that redefine how organisations respond to market demands. It celebrates meticulous strategies, innovative practices and a commitment to excellence in demand planning. Finalists will need to showcase effective integration of technology and collaborative methodologies to navigate demand fluctuations and demonstrate measurable impact on reducing costs, optimizing inventory and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Humanitarian and Health Supply Chain Management
This category celebrates organisations excelling in supply chain innovation and impact. It honours efforts that enhance the delivery of essential supplies to underserved populations. Recognising resilience, efficiency, and sustainability, it highlights projects that demonstrate measurable outcomes, innovative practices, and scalable solutions, ensuring timely and equitable access to critical resources during crises and for long-term health improvements.
Innovation & Change Management
This category celebrates trailblazing achievements in redefining supply chain practices. Nominees will be encouraged to showcase excellence in innovation, adaptability and transformative change. Groundbreaking strategies, leveraging emerging technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement are encouraged.
International Trade
This category will recognise positive effort, specialist expertise and success in promoting and facilitating international trade between countries either within Africa, or between Africa and the rest of the World. The creation of a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage in international trading.
Inventory, Warehousing & Distribution Management
This category will recognize excellence in optimizing inventory, warehousing and distribution practices. It will honour initiatives that showcase innovation, efficiency and sustainability in managing supply chain assets. The finalists will have demonstrated measurable impacts on cost reduction, inventory accuracy and overall distribution efficiency.
Manufacturing & Production Management
This accolade will celebrate excellence through the implementation of advanced technologies, streamlined operations and commitment to quality standards. The finalists will be expected to demonstrate tangible impacts on cost effectiveness, production scalability and overall operational excellence.
Preservation of the Environment
This category will highlight outstanding achievements in sustainable supply chain practices. Initiatives that showcase environmental stewardship, resource efficiency and eco-friendly operations will be encouraged. Particular focus will be on projects that reduce ecological footprints, adopt green technologies and promote responsible sourcing. Finalists of this category will be able to demonstrate measurable impacts on environmental conservation, carbon footprint reduction and overall supply chain practices.
Procurement & Supply Management
The category will commend exceptional strategies that redefine procurement and supply chain practices. Initiatives that optimize sourcing, procurement processes and supply chain operations will be celebrated. Finalists will be expected to showcase effective integration of technology, sustainability and collaborative processes that highlight the future of procurement and supply chain management.
Supply Chain Co-ordination and Collaboration
Seamless collaboration and coordination are essential across supply chain networks. Entrants into this category will be asked to showcase examples of excellence in building strong partnerships, enhancing communication and promoting integration. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate mastery in aligning stakeholders, optimising processes and driving collective efficiency. Finalists will be able to demonstrate tangible impacts on supply chain responsiveness, cost-effectiveness and overall collaborative success.
Technology Information Systems & Related Fields
In this category the judges will be looking for groundbreaking achievements in leveraging technology for supply chain innovation. They will want to recognize initiatives that showcase excellence in information systems, data analytics and related field. Nominees will be asked demonstrate mastery in adopting cutting-edge technologies, enhancing visibility and optimising supply chain processes. Finalists will need to exhibit measurable impacts on efficiency gain, data-driven decision-making and overall technological advancements.
Training & Talent Management
The outstanding achievements in optimizing all facets of staff-related issues within the supply chain will be celebrated. Nominees will need to demonstrate mastery in fostering a collaborative and skilled workforce, emphasizing employee growth and ensuring diversity and inclusion. The finalists in this category must exhibit measurable impacts on staff satisfaction, skill enhancement and overall talent management effectiveness.
Transport (all modes & intermodal)
This category will honour outstanding achievements in revolutionizing transportation practices across various modes. Nominees will be encouraged to demonstrate tangible impacts on cost-effectiveness, delivery reliability and overall transportation efficiency.
Unique Supply Chain Projects
This category is specifically designed to recognise those “once-off” complex supply chain-related projects that come around every so often, but are not part of routine “business-as-usual”. Examples are the World Cup (e.g. soccer, cricket or rugby), the Cape Epic Cycle Race, the South African Formula-E Grand Prix or an exceptional Abnormal/Project Load.
The Entry Process:
Please note that there is no fee to enter ASCEA
Entries will close on Friday 24th April 2026
The process is made as simple as possible:
Please click on the SUBMIT NOW button and complete the various fields as accurately as possible. Please provide all information requested.
Step 1 - complete the initial submission as accurately as possible. After submission you will be contacted by a representative from Upavon Management, the secretariat of ASCEA.
Step 2 - Your submission will be assessed and you may be approached for additional information before the formal judging process will begin.
Step 3 - Once the submission has been formally accepted you will be assigned a Judge and support Judge who will assist you with your submission. They will provide you with a template requesting information regarding:
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Introduction of Company
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Definition of specific Problems / Challenges in achieving Goal
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The Analysis
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The Solution
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The Implementation
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Results Achieved to Date
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Learnings
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The Team involved
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The Way Forward
Step 4 – you will be asked to complete a formal presentation to the Judges thereafter the final assessment will take place.
Step 5 – you will be notified of the results of the assessment and you will be encouraged to attend the awards dinner which will be take place on 6th August 2026
The ASCEA judges are more than a panel of adjudicators. They act as mentors, guiding and supporting entrants to ensure every submission is the strongest and most impactful it can be.
The small print
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Information provided will be handled confidentially but must be approved by the organisation submitting together with any approvals required from clients or partner organisations.
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Submissions are encouraged from across the continent of Africa that showcase supply chain excellence
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Only 2 submissions per company will be accepted. Motivation for additional submissions can be considered.
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The Judges reserve the right to change the category under which the submission is received. Notice will be provided.
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By entering the awards, entrants grant ASCEA permission to publicise the finalists and winners across its communication platforms.
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Finalists and runners up will be invited to send 1 representative to the Awards Dinner on 6th August 2026