2025 Hall of Fame: Supply Chain Executive Leader of the Year
A New Standard for Leadership in 2025, the Pan African Supply Chain Awards introduced a prestigious new category: Supply Chain Executive Leader of the Year. This award is designed to recognize individuals who don’t just manage supply chains, but transform them through vision, courage, and a deep sense of purpose.
We are proud to feature our first-ever winner, Taelo Mojapelo, CEO of bp Southern Africa (bpSA).
Leading Through the Storm
Taelo’s journey to the CEO role is a testament to resilience. Stepping into leadership in June 2020 — at the peak of a global pandemic and a volatile oil crisis — required more than just strategic expertise, it required immense courage. With over 20 years of experience at global giants like SAB, Kellogg’s, and DHL, Taelo navigated bpSA through unprecedented waters, focusing on operational excellence and digital transformation.
The Metrics of Success
Under her leadership, bpSA has seen remarkable growth and modernization:
- Infrastructure Expansion: Driving the opening of 15 new service stations in 2024 and an additional 11 in 2025, representing a significant capital investment in the region.
- Operational Optimization: Managing a 50% stake in SAPREF, one of Africa’s largest refineries, while championing supply chain optimization.
- Gender Equity: Today, women make up 56% of bpSA’s leadership — a direct result of her commitment to inclusive growth.
Uplifting Others as She Climbs
Beyond the balance sheet, Taelo is a champion for economic inclusion. By partnering with 100% black women-owned firms for fuel terminal management and transport services, she is actively dismantling barriers for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Her mantra — “Uplifting other women and grooming better men” — has sparked a movement within the industry.
Who is the Next Executive Trailblazer?
Nominations for the 2026 Awards are open! We are looking for the next leader to follow in Taelo’s footsteps. We are looking for executives who:
- Exemplify Great Leadership: Leading with empathy, humility, and strategic foresight.
- Drive Transformation: Successfully navigating complex global or regional shifts.
- Build Legacies: Creating inclusive environments and empowering the next generation.