Hawassa, 15th January 2019: The African Union (AU) launched Supply Chain Platform during a workshop that has been held from 14 – 18 January 2019 in Hawassa, Ethiopia. The workshop serves as an experience sharing platform in the areas of supply chain management. In the same token, it is expected that the Forum will create community of public procurement and supply chain practitioners who will continue to work together.

During her welcoming remarks Mrs. Rekia Mahmadou, Ag. Director of Administration and Human Resource Management at the AU highlighted supply chain is a key pillar in the implementation of the AU’s goals. “The continent’s integration as espoused in the ACFTA demands institutional and process reforms to enhance the organization’s capacity and systems.” she underscored.

The workshop, theme “Excellence in supply chain to achieve efficient fulfilment and enhance organizational responsiveness”, was a milestone in the development journey of the Procurement, Travel, Stores Division (PTSD) of the AU where its supply chain role shifted from tactical to strategic function. This is ensured through support of the implementation of AU strategies through efficient service delivery, optimizing asset management, reduction of waste, offering technological solutions and excellence in procurement among others.

Mrs. Carine Yemitia Toure, Head of PTSD of the AU portrayed the linkages of the supply chain management and achievement of the objectives of the Agenda 2063 and its FTYIP. “Supply Chain plays a critical role in ensuring the Union delivers on its mandates and achieve its vision of being “An Integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”. Mrs. Yemitia added: “This approach meant greater focus on value for money, predictability, alignment with the worldwide advances in public procurement, travel and asset management practices and enhanced effectiveness and efficiency to constantly adjust its operations to the evolving needs of the African citizens and drive the Continent’s integration and the institutional transformation process.”

Ms. Thereza L. Negokhe, Chief of Procurement Unit, in her opening remarks said: “It is the first of its kind in the history of the AU.” Listing the expected output of the meeting Mrs. Thereza continued: “The issues discussed in the Supply chain domain ranging from technology in Public procurement, Ethics, Green Supply chain, Travel Management, risk and quality assurance, warehousing, among others will enable us to have new insights into our work and serve as an opportunity for us to build a strong network and a Community of Public Procurement and Supply Chain practitioners.”

Mr. Vafolay Mbandoe Tulay, Commissioner for General Administration and Conference by sharing experiences of ECOWAS indicated that ECOWAS has a revised Procurement Code which emphasizes the principle of fairness and transparency in the processes, economy of efficiency, promotes confidentiality, avoids conflict of interest with clear segregation of duties. “We see this workshop as a great opportunity for our institutions to share experience and practices that will hopefully lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness of our procedures and improve service delivery to our clients” he yearned.

The Supply Chain Platform is envisaged to build a network of practitioners, provide a platform, access and share information, create a worldwide community, maximize partnerships, offer continuous learning, improvement and harmonization of Public Procurement and Supply Chain policies and practices in Africa and enhance communications.

The workshop brought together seasoned and experienced supply chain practitioners, logistics experts, procurement specialists, travel officers, expert in trade from AU Headquarters, AU Organs, AU Liaison Officers, Regional Economic Communities, and AU development partners.

The meeting was organized under the auspices of the Procurement, Travel, Stores Division situated at the Administration and Human Resource Management of the African Union Commission.’

For media enquires:
Mrs. Rahel Akalewold | Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | E-mail: Rahela@africa-union.org Tel: +251(0) 911683737
For further information: Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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