Lagos to host Africa procurement leaders on digital transformation

Procurement professionals, policymakers and corporate executives from across Africa are set to converge in Lagos for a high-level summit focused on how digital technologies can address fraud, inefficiency and weak oversight in procurement systems.

The event, organised by Gloopro, is scheduled for May 26, 2026, and reflects a growing shift among African organisations to reposition procurement from a routine administrative function to a strategic priority at the executive level.

Tagged the Digital Procurement Africa Summit 2026, the gathering will bring together procurement heads, supply chain leaders and public-sector officials to explore practical approaches to digital transformation in enterprise procurement. The summit is themed “Accelerating Procurement Transformation for Large Enterprises in the Digital Era.”

Speaking ahead of the event, Gloopro’s Chief Executive Officer, Olumide Olusanya, said the summit is designed as a closed-door executive forum focused on real-world challenges and solutions.

“Africa’s procurement ecosystem is at a critical stage, and digital transformation is central to its future,” he said, noting that the platform will enable leaders to share insights on what is working and identify gaps requiring urgent attention.

The summit comes at a time when many African businesses are grappling with issues such as off-contract spending, fragmented supplier management and procurement leakages—challenges often linked to manual systems and limited visibility in purchasing processes.

Participants are expected to examine the role of automation in improving efficiency, strengthening governance, and reducing losses associated with outdated procurement practices. Discussions will also address how digital systems can better manage decentralised purchasing and improve oversight of indirect spending.

Unlike traditional conferences, the summit will adopt a more interactive format, featuring executive roundtables, fireside chats and working sessions aimed at encouraging candid discussions and actionable outcomes.

Gloopro, which provides e-procurement and procurement-as-a-service solutions to multinational and large-scale enterprises, said digital adoption is becoming increasingly critical as organisations seek greater control, transparency and compliance in procurement operations.

While global trends show increasing adoption of digital procurement tools, implementation across Africa remains uneven due to infrastructure gaps, fragmented supplier networks and varying levels of digital readiness.

The Lagos summit is expected to attract key stakeholders from multinational companies, government institutions and private-sector organisations, as efforts intensify to modernise procurement systems across the continent.