Introduction
The special issue on Resilient, Inclusive and Digital Supply Chains for Africa’s Sustainable Development aims to deepen scholarly and practical understanding of how supply chains can better support Africa's sustainable development. Specifically, it seeks to explore innovative strategies that strengthen resilience to disruptions, promote inclusivity for local communities, and leverage digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and data-driven systems, to improve efficiency and decision-making.
To achieve these aims, the issue will bring together interdisciplinary contributions from academics, practitioners, and policymakers on key themes, including digital transformation, risk management, sustainability, and sector-specific applications such as healthcare and agribusiness. The issue will prioritise rigorous, peer-reviewed research that integrates theory and practice, fosters collaboration, and highlights best practices and innovative frameworks. By disseminating these insights, this special issue will contribute to the development of robust, sustainable, and equitable supply chain systems across Africa.
List of Topic Areas
Topic areas include:
Building resilient and risk-responsive supply chains: Examining strategies for managing disruptions, strengthening adaptive capacity, and improving crisis preparedness in volatile and resource-constrained environments.
Inclusive supply chain models for local economic participation: Investigating approaches that integrate SMEs, informal sectors, and local communities into value chains to promote equitable development.
Sustainable and green supply chain practices: Analysing environmentally responsible logistics, circular economy approaches, and sustainable production and consumption systems across key African sectors.
Artificial intelligence and digital transformation in African supply chains: Exploring AI, data-driven decision-making, and digital platforms to enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in supply chain operations.
Sector-specific innovations in critical industries: Focusing on applications in healthcare, agribusiness, and other strategic sectors to demonstrate context-specific solutions for development impact.
Submissions Information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ijlm
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emerald.com/ijlm
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key Deadlines
Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 31/12/2026
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 29/01/2027
Email for submissions: lester.shawa@kuehne-foundation.org
