SAPICS ANNOUNCES SUPPLY CHAIN LEADER LEBOGANG LETSOALO AS CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR 2026 CONFERENCE
Supply chain industry body SAPICS has announced that renowned industry expert, seasoned coach and global thought leader Lebogang Letsoalo will deliver the closing keynote address at the milestone 2026 SAPICS Conference. This year’s important gathering, which takes place in Cape Town from 19 to 22 July 2026, celebrates the organisation’s 60th anniversary and also comes at a time when supply chains around the world are under significant strain.
With more than 26 years of experience in transport, logistics and supply chain management, Letsoalo brings a powerful combination of industry expertise, purpose-driven leadership and a passion for developing people to the 2026 SAPICS Conference lineup. Her not to be missed keynote will challenge, inspire and equip attendees to shape the future of supply chain across Africa, SAPICS says.
Letsoalo’s career has been defined not only by operational excellence but by her commitment to uplifting the profession. Through mentorship, coaching and advocacy, she has impacted thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, youth and women across Africa and globally. Her contributions have earned her multiple industry accolades, including recognition among the Top 100 Global Women in Supply Chain and a Lifetime Achievers Award in Supply Chain, Transport and Logistics.
“What drew me into this profession was the recognition that supply chain is central to the functioning of the entire economy, from ensuring the availability of basic goods to enabling business competitiveness and economic growth,” she reveals. “What excites me most about closing the landmark 2026 SAPICS Conference is the exciting opportunity to bring together the insights and energy of the conference and leave the audience with actionable takeouts and a renewed sense of the purpose and possibility in our profession.”
While acknowledging that supply chain professionals across Africa face mounting challenges, including infrastructure inefficiencies in ports and rail, road congestion, security risks, energy instability, rising fuel costs and regulatory misalignment, Letsoalo believes a mindset shift can mitigate these and open up exciting new opportunities. “Supply chain professionals must move from focusing purely on efficiency to building resilience, agility and visibility. I believe the greatest opportunity today lies in unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and in how we prioritise ‘Made in Africa’.
“AfCFTA is creating a single market across the continent, which fundamentally changes how supply chains can be designed – from fragmented, country-specific models to integrated, regional value chains. This presents a major opportunity to increase intra-African trade, drive industrialisation and reduce dependency on imports from outside the continent,” she asserts. “For supply chain professionals, this means we can play a central role in shaping how we industrialise, designing logistics networks, policy and determining how goods move across borders more efficiently and competitively. We have the opportunity to reshape Africa’s economic landscape.”
Commenting on the theme of this year’s SAPICS Conference, Letsoalo says: “This theme, ‘Legacy to Leadership: 60 Years of Connection, Collaboration & Transformation,’ is far more than a celebration of a milestone; it is a call to action for every supply chain professional. It reminds us that true leadership is built through shared knowledge, meaningful collaboration, resilient partnerships and the courage to transform in the face of change. Each of us has a responsibility not only to lead within our organisations, but to contribute to a legacy that strengthens our profession, our communities and the future of supply chain across Africa and beyond. I look forward to exploring this further with delegates at the conference.”
The 2026 SAPICS Conference takes place from 19 to 22 July 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town. To find out more or to register to attend what promises to be the most important industry event of the year, visit https://conference.sapics.org/ or contact the SAPICS 2026 Secretariat by calling + 27 31 303 9852 or emailing kimera@confco.co.za.
For more information:
Email: info@sapics.org.za
ABOUT SAPICS: http://www.sapics.org
Since 1966, SAPICS has worked to elevate, educate and empower the community of supply chain professionals in South Africa and across the continent. This is done via membership, events, the annual conference and education courses and workshops through Authorised Education Providers and others.
SAPICS is registered in South Africa as a not-for-profit company. Its mandate is to ensure that any profits made are used towards the continual development and overall benefit of individuals and organisations in the supply chain management profession.
The annual SAPICS Conference is the leading event in Africa for supply chain professionals and is now in its 48th year. The 2026 SAPICS Conference takes place in Cape Town from 19 to 22 July 2026.
