The South Africa–Switzerland Bilateral Research Chair in Blockchain Technology at the University of Johannesburg brought together researchers, technology developers, entrepreneurs and industry practitioners to examine how blockchain can address concrete supply‑chain problems in South Africa.
From hype to fit-for-purpose solutions
The annual media event, led by Prof Nnamdi Nwulu and hosted at the Johannesburg Business School auditorium, emphasised that blockchain is no longer merely a crypto concept but a tool for improving trust, transparency and traceability across supply chains.
Keynote speaker Prof Horst Treiblmaier of Modul University Vienna urged organisations to begin with the problem, not the technology. He argued that selecting the appropriate blockchain architecture must be driven by the requirements of a specific use case rather than by the availability of a platform.
“The choice of blockchain should be driven by the requirements of the use case, not by adopting a particular architecture simply because the technology is available.”
Treiblmaier used a poultry farming example to illustrate how the properties of different blockchain approaches produce different emergent characteristics and therefore different practical applications. The session stressed that benefits such as immutable records, decentralised verification and improved data sharing only accrue when the technical design aligns with operational needs.
Who was at the event and what they discussed
- The University of Johannesburg’s research chair hosted the event, bringing together academics, technology developers and students.
- Prof Horst Treiblmaier delivered the keynote on matching blockchain types to real-world supply‑chain problems.
- Julian Kanjere, Senior Blockchain Specialist at the CSIR’s Centre for Robotics and Future Production, presented on applied solutions and practical considerations for industry uptake.
Speakers explored the balance between public, private and permissioned blockchains and how these architectures affect data confidentiality, throughput and governance. While public blockchains promote openness, permissioned or private ledgers may better suit commercial supply chains where selective sharing and regulatory compliance are important.
| Blockchain type | Typical supply‑chain strength |
|---|---|
| Public | Transparency and openness |
| Permissioned | Controlled access and compliance |
Why this matters for South African businesses
South African supply chains face practical challenges that blockchain can help address when implemented thoughtfully. Traceability matters for agricultural exporters, manufacturers managing complex supplier networks, and regulators overseeing product safety. The poultry case study underlined how end-to-end visibility — from farm to retailer — can support faster recalls, stronger consumer confidence and clearer export documentation.
Speakers at the event also highlighted that technology alone does not deliver value: governance, data standards, stakeholder incentives and cost models must be in place for blockchain pilots to scale. Without those elements, projects risk becoming proofs of concept with limited operational benefit.
The gathering provided space for South African researchers and industry to compare notes on practical barriers such as integration with legacy IT systems, transaction costs, and the need for interoperable data standards across partners and borders.
Next steps and implications
Panel discussions signalled a push towards multidisciplinary pilots that pair technical development with supply‑chain partners willing to adapt processes. Research chairs and institutions, including the CSIR, are signalling continued collaboration to turn pilot learnings into repeatable templates for sectors such as agriculture and logistics.
For business leaders and procurement managers operating on tight margins, the message was clear: blockchain is worth investigating where it solves a defined pain point — but decisions must be guided by the use case, data governance arrangements and a realistic view of integration costs.
As South African firms look to deepen regional and global trade, the development of robust digital trust infrastructure will affect competitiveness. The UJ event underlined that getting the basics right — matching architecture to need, agreeing standards and defining governance — will determine whether blockchain moves from experimental projects to practical tools that reduce friction in supply chains.
