Global leaders now pursue dual goals: strengthening resilience while managing costs. Many are diversifying where they source and produce, using strategies like “multi-shoring” (spreading operations across multiple countries) and tapping new trade agreements. For example, companies are expanding manufacturing footprints across regions to cut risk. Trade wars and tariffs have accelerated this trend: firms are less reliant on any one country and more on analytics. Sophisticated supply-chain analytics tools are now in high demand to provide greater operational visibility, enhanced demand forecasting, and improved inventory management. In practice, that means using data to understand every link from raw materials through final delivery and running scenarios to anticipate bottlenecks. In short, modern supply chains are being rewired as networks rather than simple linear lines from point A to B.

Embracing Technology: From Visibility to Autonomy

Digital technology is at the heart of this shift. Companies are investing heavily in tools like IoT sensors, cloud platforms, AI and automation to gain real-time visibility and agility. For example, 61% of firms now expect to retrain their workforce for digital skills, and a majority are already deploying AI, machine learning and automation across planning, procurement and logistics. Sensor networks on trucks, ships and storage facilities let managers track goods and conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) from origin to destination. Cloud-based “control tower” platforms aggregate this data so all partners in the chain see the same picture. In practice, companies report building digital twins of their supply chains, virtual models fed by live data, to identify alternate suppliers instantly and respond faster if a link breaks.

Artificial intelligence is also being applied to core logistics problems. A recent industry study found that supply chain management and optimization are top uses for AI, cited by 41% of respondents. Companies are using AI to predict demand spikes, optimize routes, and even automate mundane tasks like invoice processing and document handling. In warehousing and ports, robotics and autonomous vehicles are increasingly common. For instance, Tema Port in Ghana has installed automated cranes and scanning systems, and digitized paperwork, to drastically reduce processing times. Its Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) alone cut clearance times by 38% at Ghana’s Tema and Takoradi ports. In fact, Tema now operates 24/7, with around-the-clock customs and container handling, making it one of the fastest ports in West Africa.

Even simple digital tools can pay big dividends. In Ghana’s cocoa trade, for example, farmers receive mobile-money payments on the spot, recorded via blockchain so every transaction is transparent. One Ghanaian cocoa buyer (Koa) now pays growers “directly and transparently on the day of harvest,” and logs the payment in an immutable blockchain ledger to prevent any fraud. This kind of traceable, digital payment system builds trust and speed in a historically cash-based trade. Likewise, agtech startups in Ghana like Farmerline use blockchain-based traceability platforms so that all actors (farmers, buyers, regulators) can track produce quality and payments in real time.

Above all, technology is enabling visibility and collaboration across previously siloed parties. Companies see now that supply chain data must flow end-to-end – across suppliers, logistics providers, factories and customers – to react quickly when disruptions strike. In practice, this means linking systems and sharing data, often in neutral platforms or with third-party logistics providers. The result is a networked supply chain: digital dashboards flag delays (say, a ship held up by weather), and teams can reroute or reprioritize shipments on the fly. As one expert puts it, firms are learning to convert raw visibility into “actionable” insights that inform decisions in real time.

Industry Impacts and Innovations

Automotive sector: The car industry was among the hardest hit during the pandemic – 100% of surveyed auto companies reported negative effects. From factory shutdowns to chronic semiconductor shortages, carmakers and suppliers have felt every supply glitch. In response, many automakers are relocating or adding factories closer to key markets (near-shoring) and doubling their parts inventories. Some are developing alternative sources – for example, diversifying chip suppliers – to avoid repeating the 2021 crisis. On the shipping side, vehicle importers benefit from the same port-tech innovations. Tema Port’s specialized “Golden Jubilee” terminal handles vehicles 24/7 with automated inspections and digital customs, dramatically cutting dwell times.

Car rentals and mobility: The pandemic also changed how people move day-to-day. In Ghana, for instance, ride-sharing and car rental startups surged as public transit slowed. One company, WopeCar, has built a digital car-rental platform that connects idle cars with renters via an app. Customers can browse vehicles online, book instantly, and even have cars delivered to their doorsteps – all without visiting an office. On the supply side, Ghanaian car-owners can list their vehicles on WopeCar’s platform, earning passive income when not driving. The company reports local drivers earning thousands of Ghanaian cedis per month by smartly scheduling rentals. WopeCar is now eyeing future trends like electric vehicle rentals and AI fleet management to stay ahead. This is a microcosm of a global shift: mobility itself is becoming a digital service, with optimized vehicle use reducing downtime and improving asset turnover.

Figure: Tech-driven car rental services in Ghana (WopeCar’s platform) are making mobility more flexible and profitable for both drivers and fleet owners.

Agriculture and food: Food and crop logistics faced their own trials. Pandemic lockdowns and labor shortages choked food supply routes just as panic buying spiked demand. Since then, agribusinesses have turned to technology and regional diversification. For example, precision-agriculture tools – drones, sensors and AI – are now used to optimize planting and harvesting, reducing waste and boosting yields. In Ghana, agritech companies have led the charge. Complete Farmer, a Ghanaian startup, created an end-to-end digital marketplace for crops. It provides farmers with standardized cultivation protocols and IoT sensors that monitor soil moisture and plant health. Early results: farmers on the platform see “drastic improvements in efficiency and yields,” because they only irrigate or fertilize when the data shows it’s needed. Meanwhile, agricultural consolidation is taking place. Complete Farmer built multiple post-harvest and packaging centers (termed fulfillment hubs) across Ghana and Togo to handle export volumes. In fact, global supply shortages after COVID helped its business: soaring demand for commodities led the company to onboard new farmers and scale its network rapidly.

Across Africa, governments and firms are digitizing crop supply chains end-to-end. In cocoa – Ghana’s flagship crop – digital payments and traceability are becoming standard. Cooperatives now use mobile banking to pay farmers on harvest day, and blockchain to record each transaction, cutting the “hidden costs of cash” and ensuring every farmer is accounted for. USAID reports show Ghana’s experience with digital logistics (even in health commodities) proves real-time data networks work: they reduce stock-outs and make the system more resilient to shocks. In practice, a farmer in Ghana today might log her yields via a mobile app, see her sale matched with a buyer, and receive proof of payment all in minutes – a far cry from the all-cash era. These innovations help small farmers plug into global value chains with trust and efficiency.

IT Consulting and Services: The tech and professional-services sector has also been swept up in these changes. Demand for supply-chain digitalization has become a growth driver for IT consulting firms worldwide. Companies need help integrating systems (ERP, CRM, logistics platforms) and analyzing supply data. In Ghana and beyond, consulting practices are advising clients on cloud migrations, cybersecurity for connected logistics, and data analytics to predict disruptions. For example, firms are helping manufacturers deploy AI-driven demand forecasting tools, or enabling remote trade via blockchain-based export documentation. While specific examples in Ghana’s IT scene are emerging (from fintech to smart logistics), the broad trend is clear: digital expertise is as crucial a resource as physical infrastructurein building the new trade networks.

Practical Takeaways for Decision-Makers

• Invest in Visibility: Make supply chains transparent end-to-end. Use IoT sensors and cloud dashboards to see inventory, shipments and production in real time. Actionable visibility – not just raw data – allows you to reroute flows or shift capacity immediately when an issue arises.

• Diversify Suppliers and Markets: Relying on one country or factory is too risky. Consider multi-shoring or near-shoring for critical components. Leverage trade analytics to continuously evaluate alternative sources, and use tariff-advantage strategies (FTAs, tariff engineering) where possible.

• Leverage Technology and Partnerships: Don’t try to go it alone. Partner with logistics tech platforms and integrate automation. For example, work with ports or 3PLs that use digital customs and 24/7 operations (as Ghana’s Tema Port has). Adopt standard digital solutions, ERP, blockchain tracking or AI optimization – that fit your industry’s needs.

• Balance Cost with Resilience: Full redundancy (overstocking, too many backups) can erode margins. Instead, find a balance. For essential products, it may make sense to accept slightly higher costs for reliability. For others, optimize flows through analytics and flexible contracts. The “right” level of resilience will vary by business, but planning scenarios now is cheaper than reacting under fire.

• Build Collaborative Networks: Tomorrow’s supply chains are ecosystems. Foster closer ties with suppliers and customers. Shared data hubs, trading platforms and joint forecasting agreements can align incentives. For example, Ghana’s agricultural exporters often coordinate planting schedules based on global demand signals; retailers share sales data with logistics partners to prevent stockouts.

• Keep Sustainability in View: Interestingly, focus on sustainability has actually increased post-pandemic. Customers and governments expect eco-friendly practices, which often go hand-in-hand with resilience (e.g. shorter, local supply chains reduce emissions). Look for ‘green’ efficiencies, like waste reduction via real-time tracking, that also cut costs or risks.

In the end, the post-pandemic era of trade demands agility, data and collaboration. Businesses that treat their supply chains as strategic, digitally-enabled networks will be best positioned to seize opportunities and weather the next disruption. For decision-makers in auto, agriculture, IT or any sector: the message is the same. Reimagine your supply chain now – investing in digital tools and diversification – and you’ll be ready for whatever the future of global trade brings.

Sources: Industry surveys and analyses by ey.com, globaltrademag.com, wcshipping.com, ; case studies and news on Ghana (WopeCar rentals myjoyonline.com, Tema Port modernization wcshipping.com, cocoa and agtech trade.gov, agfundernews.com seedtrace.org).