The Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria (APPON) has again affirmed its position as Africa’s foremost advocate for procurement professionalism after recording outstanding achievements at the 8th Africa Procurement & Supply Chain Summit & Awards 2026, held on July 28 and 29, 2026 in Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Media & Publicity of APPON, Comrade Ralph Ogunsanya, and made available to The Frontier, the continental gathering was organised under the theme “Unlocking Value Across Africa’s Supply Ecosystem”.
The well attended event brought together procurement and supply chain professionals, government officials, regulators, policymakers, development partners, academics and industry leaders from across Africa to deliberate on strategies for strengthening procurement governance, regional supply chains and sustainable economic development.
APPON was represented by its National President, Dr. Emem James Kanico, FCPP, CFIAR, IION, alongside members of the Association’s National Executive Council (NEC), whose active participation further underscored APPON’s leadership role in shaping the future of procurement practice on the African continent.
A major highlight of the summit was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Kanico, who challenged African leaders and procurement professionals to reposition procurement from a routine administrative process to a strategic instrument for economic transformation, institutional accountability and sustainable development.
Addressing participants on the summit’s theme, Kanico emphasised that procurement remains one of the most powerful tools for driving infrastructure development, industrialisation, healthcare delivery, education, food security, innovation, employment generation and economic growth across Africa. He noted that as African nations deepen economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is an urgent need to establish procurement systems that are transparent, technology-driven, resilient, environmentally sustainable and supportive of local industries.
Reflecting on APPON’s remarkable journey, the National President highlighted several landmark achievements recorded by the Association in recent years.
According to him, APPON has successfully united procurement practitioners from the public and private sectors under one professional platform, transforming procurement into a respected strategic profession that promotes transparency, accountability, value for money and national development.
He further noted that APPON’s advocacy efforts culminated in the institutionalisation of National Procurement Day, celebrated annually on June 4, providing a national platform for recognising excellence, promoting ethical procurement practices and encouraging continuous reforms within the profession.
Dr. Kanico also disclosed that APPON has successfully organised six national conferences, each attracting over one thousand participants from Nigeria and other African countries. These conferences have become major platforms for policy dialogue, professional networking, knowledge exchange and the promotion of global best practices in procurement and supply chain management.
He added that the Association has inducted over 5,000 procurement professionals into its fold while also advancing research and professional development through the publication of three editions of its flagship journal, The Procurement Classroom, now regarded as an important resource for procurement practitioners, researchers and policymakers.
Kanico called on African governments, professional institutions and development partners to strengthen procurement institutions through ethical leadership, embrace digital procurement technologies, build resilient regional supply chains, promote local content, invest in continuous professional education and encourage research and innovation capable of transforming Africa’s procurement landscape.
A major highlight of the summit was the colourful Gala Night and Awards Ceremony, where APPON received the prestigious Public Procurement Association of the Year Award, in recognition of its exceptional contributions to procurement reforms, professional development, institutional strengthening and advocacy across Nigeria and the African continent.
In yet another remarkable recognition, APPON’s National President, Dr. Emem James Kanico, was honoured with the coveted Public Procurement Advocacy Leader of the Year Award, celebrating his visionary leadership, unwavering commitment and outstanding contributions to advancing procurement professionalism and promoting ethical public procurement practices throughout Africa.
One of the defining moments of the Gala Night was the official unveiling of the African Procurement Practitioners Association (APPA) by Dr. Kanico.
The new continental body is expected to serve as a unified platform for procurement practitioners across Africa, fostering collaboration, professional networking, research, capacity building, policy advocacy and the harmonisation of procurement standards among African nations.
The establishment of APPA marks a significant milestone in the evolution of procurement practice on the continent and aligns with Africa’s vision of deeper regional integration, enhanced trade facilitation and sustainable economic growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Procurement practitioners, procurement officers, academics, researchers and other stakeholders across Africa are encouraged to become founding members of the Association by registering through the official website:
*www.theafricappa.org*
