The Lagos State Government has called on African countries to integrate procurement, logistics and transportation systems to unlock the continent’s economic potential, improve public service delivery and strengthen regional trade.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA), Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, made the call at the 8th Africa Procurement & Supply Chain Summit and Awards held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

Represented by the Agency’s Director of Procurement, Mr. Akintunde Mooruf Subair, Onafowote said seamless coordination among procurement, logistics and transportation was critical to reducing supply chain bottlenecks, cutting operational costs, improving inventory management and ensuring the timely delivery of public projects.

Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking Value Across Africa’s Supply Ecosystem: Procurement, Logistics, and Transportation in Action,” he described procurement as more than a purchasing function, saying it is a strategic instrument for economic development, transparency, sustainability and efficient governance.

According to him, effective procurement planning strengthens demand forecasting, supplier selection, contract management, risk mitigation and sustainable sourcing, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation and infrastructure.

He noted that robust procurement systems promote value for money, improve transparency and accountability, curb corruption, support local businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and facilitate the successful execution of infrastructure projects.

Highlighting Lagos State’s procurement reforms, Onafowote said the state has implemented an end-to-end electronic procurement system, strengthened enforcement of the Lagos State Public Procurement Law and intensified capacity building through Procurement Planning Clinics, stakeholder engagement and continuous professional development for procurement officers.

He stressed that efficient transportation remains central to procurement success, urging governments across Africa to invest in modern logistics infrastructure, including road, rail and inland waterways, to enhance supply chain efficiency.

The LSPPA boss also advocated accelerated digital procurement, stronger legal and institutional frameworks, deeper regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), greater investment in logistics infrastructure, data-driven decision-making, sustainable procurement practices, stronger public-private partnerships and continuous professional training.

He maintained that procurement reform should remain at the centre of Africa’s economic integration agenda, arguing that transparent, technology-driven and efficient procurement systems are essential to building resilient and sustainable supply chains across the continent.

The summit also recognised outstanding contributions to the sector, with Onafowote receiving the Public Procurement Icon of the Year Award, while Subair was honoured as Public Procurement Personality of the Year.

The event attracted procurement directors and officers from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Lagos State, alongside procurement professionals, policymakers and industry stakeholders from across Africa.