Resilient, Inclusive and Digital Supply Chains for Africa's Sustainable Development

Description

This special issue examines how supply chains can better support Africa's sustainable development by strengthening resilience to disruptions, promoting inclusivity for local communities, and harnessing digital technologies including artificial intelligence. The collection seeks interdisciplinary contributions from academics, practitioners, and policymakers addressing digital transformation, risk management, sustainability, and sector-specific applications in areas like healthcare and agribusiness.

The issue emphasizes rigorous, peer-reviewed research that combines theoretical rigor with practical insights, fosters collaboration across disciplines, and identifies best practices and innovative frameworks for building robust and equitable supply chain systems across Africa.

Potential topics

• Building resilient and risk-responsive supply chains: Examining strategies for managing disruptions, strengthening adaptive capacity, and improving crisis preparedness in volatile and resource-constrained environments.
• Inclusive supply chain models for local economic participation: Investigating approaches that integrate SMEs, informal sectors, and local communities into value chains to promote equitable development.
• Sustainable and green supply chain practices: Analysing environmentally responsible logistics, circular economy approaches, and sustainable production and consumption systems across key African sectors.
• Artificial intelligence and digital transformation in African supply chains: Exploring AI, data-driven decision-making, and digital platforms to enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in supply chain operations.
• Sector-specific innovations in critical industries: Focusing on applications in healthcare, agribusiness, and other strategic sectors to demonstrate context-specific solutions for development impact.