Africa and Supply Chain Management

The vast majority of 55 nations on the African continent are considered emerging economies. In conjunction with this classification, supply chain management (SCM) and logistics in Africa are prone to particularities such as the different levels of infrastructural development and political instability. Yet, there is an underrepresentation of Africa in SCM literature. This chapter adds to the scarce research on SCM in the African context by presenting both the perspectives of emerging and developed economies in empirical studies. A Delphi study conducted during different stages of the pandemic gives insight into risks and vulnerabilities of supply chains (SCs) in Africa and presents restoration and resilience building measures named by the expert panel. The second study on the expected impacts, risks, and opportunities of the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains elaborates on German firms with SC ties to Africa. The use of secondary data from global non-profit sources and research papers allows a comprehensive assessment of how SCM is carried out in the African context. Disruptions of the fragile supply chains such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to challenge the economic stability and growth while acting as potential incubators for developments such as digitization and reshoring. In depicting frame conditions of supply chains in Africa such as macroeconomic factors, infrastructure, and material flows to identify SC risks and measures to build SC resilience, this chapter aims to provide results that might also be applicable for emerging economies in different regional contexts. Readers find insight into challenges and opportunities of SCM with regard to African operations and gain valuable understanding for related decision-making. Practitioners my gain new perspectives and helpful guidelines for doing business in Africa.