The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Southern Africa has announced the finalists for the 2026 Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards, recognising outstanding innovation, leadership and impact across the profession.

The awards, which will be presented at the CIPS Southern Africa Connect & Engage Conference Gala Dinner on 5 August 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg, attracted a record number of entries, reflecting the growing strategic importance of procurement and supply chain management across the region.

According to Paul Vos, Regional Managing Director of CIPS Southern Africa, the calibre of submissions highlights the continued professionalisation of the profession across the region.

"The record number of entries received this year is a strong signal that procurement and supply professionals across Southern Africa increasingly see excellence as something to be recognised, celebrated, and benchmarked. It reflects the growing maturity of the profession and the pride that organisations and individuals take in demonstrating the impact of procurement and supply chain management," says Vos.

This year's shortlist spans a broad range of categories, recognising achievements in risk management, sustainability, digital transformation, supplier development, diversity and inclusion, public procurement, leadership and talent development.

The awards recognise measurable outcomes and demonstrated impact, with entrants assessed on evidence of achievement, innovation and value delivered rather than intention alone.

Among the organisations receiving multiple nominations are the Central Bank of Eswatini, FSD Africa, Joburg Market, Yum! Brands, SAICA, Oceana Group Limited, and Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF).

Several categories reflect the profession's evolving priorities. Best Use of Digital Technology recognises initiatives such as the Central Bank of Eswatini's e-procurement system, Eskom's inventory digitisation programme and Zambia National Commercial Bank's inventory management application. Best Sustainability Project highlights initiatives spanning sustainable finance and environmentally focused transformation.

The shortlist also demonstrates growing recognition of procurement's role in delivering broader economic and social value including supplier development, youth empowerment, enterprise growth and inclusive economic participation.

Categories such as Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supplier Base, Best Initiative to Deliver Social Value through Procurement, and Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion Practices in Procurement Teams highlight programmes aimed at supplier development, enterprise growth, community impact and inclusive economic participation.

"Not only did we receive significantly more entries than in 2025, but our judges also noted a marked increase in the overall quality of submissions," says Vos. "This is encouraging because it indicates that organisations are moving beyond simply talking about procurement excellence and are actively embedding it into their operations, leadership practices and business outcomes."

Individual excellence will also be recognised through categories including Leader of the Year, Young Talent and SheInspires, which celebrates women driving change in procurement and supply chain leadership.

This year's individual award finalists include:

Leader of the Year

• Dr Denias Kagande, Central Procurement Consultants (Pvt) Ltd
• Dr Clever Ruswa, Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ)
• Sandra Banda, British Council
• Vusi Matsebula, Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA)
• Prof Zachary Bolo Awino, University of Nairobi
   

SheInspires

• Asanda Penny, National Transmission Company South Africa
• Mollen Chareka, CARE
• Boitumelo Lephadi, Joburg Market
• Sandra Banda, British Council
• Sharon Hellen Nyaika, MTN Uganda
• Lesego Sineke, Rand Water
   

Young Talent

• Kelvin Mudoko, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
• Micaela Findlay, BEAPO Pty Ltd
• Ofentse Konaite, Transnet SOC Ltd
• Rochelle Jacobs, Western Cape Government

"One of the unique strengths of the CIPS Awards is that they are independently judged by a panel of experienced procurement and supply professionals holding MCIPS and FCIPS designations," says Vos. "While the awards carry the CIPS name, the winners are determined by respected peers from the profession, ensuring credibility, objectivity and integrity throughout the process."

As procurement's strategic role continues to grow, the awards showcase leading practice and celebrate those raising professional standards across the region.

"The organisations represented on this year's shortlist are helping to build trusted, resilient and high-performing supply chains at a time when procurement has never been more important to organisational success, economic growth and public confidence," says Vos.

"We congratulate all those who have been shortlisted, representing some of the very best procurement and supply chain talent, capability, and innovation across our region, and look forward to celebrating their achievements."

Hosted by CIPS, the world's leading professional body for procurement and supply management, representing more than 200,000 professionals across 180 countries, the CIPS Southern Africa Connect & Engage Conference brings together procurement, supply chain, business and public-sector leaders from across Africa to explore the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the profession.