The theme of the conference will be

Shaping logistics for the future: Enhancing sustainable logistics and supply chain systems

The 7th ACOSCM follows previous conferences and addresses the design of future supply chains in the broadest sense. In particular, the changes necessary owing to the sustainability and systemic challenges of the current time will be highlighted. Today’s multiple crises and challenges are confronting supply chains with the task of adapting to enhance sustainability and requiring stakeholders to apply new approaches and processes. The challenges facing the sector encompass emerging technologies, geopolitical crises, climate change, and the corresponding imperative to transition to sustainable supply chains and a circular economy. Central themes to be explored at this conference include the impact and opportunities associated with digitalisation and Industry 5.0 technologies, the pursuit of sustainable cold chains to support perishable goods and incorporating circular economy concepts towards environmentally sustainable and carbon-reduced solutions. Addressing these challenges and opportunities must occur within the context of trade agreements on the African continent.

The 7th ACOSCM is in line with the Agenda 2063, which calls for African countries to work towards achieving economic growth and sustainable development. The conference theme reflects the urgency required for stakeholders to utilize technology and digitalization to shape logistics and supply chain systems in such a way as to ensure future proof, sustainable supply chains.

Conference Participants

The conference participants will be predominantly academics, researchers, postgraduate students, policy makers and practitioners who will critically discuss and debate a wide range of issues on “Shaping logistics for the future: Enhancing sustainable logistics and supply chain systems”.

Conference Sub-Themes

The conference will have three sub-themes, and potential conference participants will be welcome to submit their abstracts, clearly mentioning the sub-theme from the following:

1. Digitalization in logistics and supply chains

• Industry 5.0: Human-Centric Digitalization for Smarter, Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chains
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
• Digital Transformation Strategies, Technologies, Platforms and Ecosystems in Logistics and Supply Chain Management​​​​​

2.Sustainable solutions for logistics and supply chains management

• Cold chains in Perishable products
• Circular economy, loss and waste reduction in LSCM processes
• Initiatives for green logistics and CO2 reduction
• Added value of process innovations in LSCM for various industries (mining, automotive, etc.)

3. Leveraging African Continental Trade Agreements

• African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement
• Logistics challenges and opportunities for Trade in Africa
• Streamlining customs and logistics procedures in African regional value chains ​​​​​​

Submission of Abstracts and Papers

All submitted abstracts should be a maximum of 2 pages and the full paper no longer than 5,000-6,000 words or 15 pages with Times New Roman, 12 font sizes and 1.5, spacing, 3 cm margin all around, and in PDF format. Abstracts and full papers must demonstrate academic rigor and cover the following areas:

1. Introduction
2. Significance of the Study
3. Literature Review (only indicative in abstract and fully developed in a paper)
4. Methodology
5. Findings and Analysis
6. Conclusion and Recommendations
7. References and Citations (should follow APA style)

Blind Review

Abstracts and papers submitted to the conference will undergo blind peer review and selected top-quality papers will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Special Issue Publication:

Selected papers from the conference will be invited to submit a journal paper according to the author guidelines of the Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management (JTSCM) (www.jtscm.co.za). The timelines for this collection would be:

• Open submissions: 01 October 2025
• Close submissions: 31 January 2026
• Notification of final decision: 01 April 2026
• Approximate publication date: 31 July 2026