African
Supply
Chain
Confederation
Unifying Professional Bodies, Empowering African Supply Chains
African
Supply
Chain
Confederation
Unifying Professional Bodies,
Empowering African Supply Chains
Who We Are
About Us
The African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON) unifies professional African supply chain standards and networks.
Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, ASCON aims to foster a cohesive and impactful supply chain ecosystem across the continent, empowering professional bodies and driving continental impact.
Our Desired Future
Vision
Unified Professional African Supply Chain Standards & Networks
Our Desired Future
Vision
Unified Professional African Supply Chain Standards & Networks
Our Purpose
Mission
To foster a cohesive African supply chain ecosystem grounded in professionalism, a standard of practice, education and competence, powered by collaborative networks that deliver mutual benefit and continental impact through professional bodies.
Professional
Standards
Establishing ethical codes, accreditation frameworks, and continental benchmarks to elevate supply chain practice.
Education & Competence
Collaborative Networks
Member
Value
Knowledge &
Best Practice
Continental
Impact
Positioning supply chain as a driver of integration, sustainability, and Africa’s influence in global markets.
Our Value Proposition
Commitment
Pan-African Certification
Establishing a unified certification framework that enhances professional mobility and recognition across the continent.
Institutional Strengthening
Supporting professional bodies in resource mobilisation, membership growth, and regulatory development.
Networking & Collaboration
Creating platforms for associations and members to connect, exchange knowledge, and foster partnerships.
Knowledge & Best Practice
Advancing continuous professional development through research, publications, events, and conferences.
Excellence & Recognition
Showcasing African supply chain achievements and recognising leaders in practice and innovation.
Policy & Advocacy
Providing a unified voice to shape policy, influence decision-making and advocate for the profession’s interests.
Global Partnerships
Building international linkages to adopt best practices and enable global career mobility.
SMME Empowerment
Promoting the growth and development of small and medium enterprises as a vital part of Africa’s supply chain ecosystem.
Academia–Industry Collaboration
Bridging the gap between academic research and industry practice to drive innovation and relevance.
Our Members
Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply
Kenya Institute of Supplies Management
Institute of Supply Chain Management South Africa
Institute of Procurement Professionals of Uganda (IPPU)
Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply
Zimbabwe Institute of Procurement and Supply
Our Leadership Team
The President
Ronald Mlalazi
(FCIPS, FCILT)
Ronald, the President of ASCON, is an accomplished procurement and supply chain professional. He holds FCIPS and FCILT Fellow statuses, bringing extensive experience in leadership, strategy, and fostering professionalisation and education to the confederation. Passionate about Pan-Africanism and a firm believer in Supply Chain Management as a vehicle for economic development if rightly employed.
The Secretary General
John Karani
(MBS, MCIPS, MKISM, CMCILT)
John is the newly appointed Secretary General of ASCON; he brings a wealth of experience to the confederation. He is one of the most accomplished & influential Pan-African Supply Chain leaders, with an impressive 30-year track record of shaping the procurement & supply chain landscape across Africa, having worked in blue-chip multinationals including Coca-Cola Africa, EABL–Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline, and Wrigleys East Africa. John is recognised for his strategic vision, commercial acumen, deep insight into global, regional, and local markets and is a trailblazer in supply chain management transformation. He is a recipient of one of Kenya’s prestigious leadership awards, M.B.S. (Moran of the Burning Spear), awarded by HE President William Ruto, for his transformative leadership as Chairman of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), where he has elevated the institution to regional and continental prominence..
The Secretary General
John Karani
(MBS, MCIPS, MKISM, CMCILT)
John is the newly appointed Secretary General of ASCON; he brings a wealth of experience to the confederation. He is one of the most accomplished & influential Pan-African Supply Chain leaders, with an impressive 30-year track record of shaping the procurement & supply chain landscape across Africa, having worked in blue-chip multinationals including Coca-Cola Africa, EABL–Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline, and Wrigleys East Africa. John is recognised for his strategic vision, commercial acumen, deep insight into global, regional, and local markets and is a trailblazer in supply chain management transformation. He is a recipient of one of Kenya’s prestigious leadership awards, M.B.S. (Moran of the Burning Spear), awarded by HE President William Ruto, for his transformative leadership as Chairman of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), where he has elevated the institution to regional and continental prominence..
The Chairperson of the Advisory Board
Dr Simon Annan
(FCIPS, FGIPS, FIPMP, MCILT, MBA)
Dr Simon is a highly experienced leader in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, in both operations and leadership roles across various industries. He is the current President of the Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply (GIPS). Due to his passion and drive for excellence, he has achieved various Fellowships status with a number of professional bodies internationally and locally. As the chairperson of the ASCON Advisory Board, Simon brings a wealth of leadership and stakeholder engagement experience to the confederation
