Supplier Development Starts Before Training — The Human Side of Building Capability
Everyone talks about supplier development. Companies announce programs, allocate budgets, deliver training. Reports are filed. Success is declared. Yet most of these programs fail to create lasting change. With 15 years of procurement experience across Europe and Africa, we’ve come to believe the problem isn’t budget or commitment. It’s sequence. Most programs start in the […]
Local Content: Beyond Compliance — From Quotas to Capability
Why Local content requirements often fail to create real economic value, and what procurement practices can actually build local supplier capability ? Walk into any discussion about extractive industries in resource-rich countries, and local content will come up within minutes. It’s become a standard feature of mining codes, petroleum agreements, and partnership frameworks across Africa […]
Critical Minerals: The Procurement Question Everyone’s Missing
The critical minerals conversation has never been louder. Governments are crafting strategies. Companies are securing supply chains. International partnerships are being announced. The energy transition has made minerals like lithium, cobalt, copper, and rare earths strategically essential. But in all this conversation, something fundamental is often missing: the procurement practices that determine how value actually […]
When Procurement Becomes Geopolitics
Observations on MDBs, geographic eligibility, and the future of EU-Africa partnerships Something is shifting in how the European Union approaches development partnerships. After attending recent policy discussions in Brussels on Global Gateway and multilateral development banks, one message came through clearly: the old rules no longer apply. Business as usual is gone. Developing as usual […]
The Hidden Value Driver in Modern Supply Chains
How strategic procurement decisions shape value distribution across supply chains. Insights from 15 years of procurement leadership.
Strengthening Connections and Driving Impact at the African CEO Forum in Abidjan
Last week, STROPCIM had the pleasure of joining the African CEO Forum in Abidjan—a premier platform that brings together influential leaders shaping the future of Africa’s economy. It was a powerful opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders, thought leaders, and innovators who are actively contributing to the continent’s growth and transformation. Beyond the forum itself, […]
2025 APO Conference Highlights
Shifting from Aid to Investment STROPCIM attended the 2025 Africa Political Outlook (APO) conference in Brussels, focusing on the shift from international aid to investment. Our desktop research indicates that Africa could save up to $600 billion USD over the next decade, surpassing the benefits of current international aid programs like the Global Gateway, China’s […]
Join STROPCIM at ASCA 2025
Join STROPCIM at ASCA (Africa Supply Chain in Action) 2025: Panel Discussion: AfCFTA & Procurement: Unlocking Supply Chain Opportunities Across Borders Date: 13th March 2025Time: 14:10 (CAT)Duration: 1 Hour The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is reshaping procurement and supply chains, opening new doors for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) across Africa. This panel […]
STROPCIM Participates in Key Meeting with European Leaders
STROPCIM had the pleasure of participating in a significant meeting organized by Le Cercle, featuring European Parliament Member Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (Renew Europe) and Deputy Director-General of DG Trade at the European Commission, Denis Redonnet. We are grateful to both speakers for their insightful presentations and for addressing numerous questions on EU trade and commercial relations. […]
Why It Is Important for Procurement to Launch a Board of Directors navigation and How ?
In today’s dynamic business environment, procurement teams are increasingly operating as service businesses. This shift means that those who set the budget are essentially acting as investors, keen to maximize their return on investment (ROI). To navigate this landscape effectively, it is crucial for procurement to establish a board of directors. Here’s why and how […]
