Stay Informed on Africa's Trade Transformation Subscribe to our Newsletter
Careers Procurement ENFR
Explore Our Impact

Our Procurement System

Supplier registration and tendering with SAP Ariba

TradeMark Africa has rolled out the SAP Ariba procurement and supplier engagement platform across its supplier registration, sourcing, contracting, bid submission. Internally, we call this system TMA iProcure. It replaces a largely email-based process with a single, guided online workflow where suppliers can register, access tender documents, seek clarifications, upload supporting documents and submit bids electronically.

What this means for suppliers

This gives suppliers a simpler, more seamless way to access tender opportunities, keeps a clear record of communications and submissions, and helps us procure goods and services efficiently in support of our mission to grow intra-African trade across more than 20 countries of operation.

  • Free of charge
  • Takes only a few minutes
  • Four steps to submit a bid
Register here Download the Supplier Guide (PDF) Download the FAQs (PDF)
Two business professionals reviewing a tender together on a laptop, with a container port and city skyline visible through the boardroom window behind them.

How tendering works - your four-step pathway

Whether you are a current supplier or new to TMA, taking part in a tender comes down to four stages.

  1. Register

     Set up your SAP Business Network profile. Show detailsHide details

    Registration is free and the account you create works for every TMA opportunity. Which route you take depends on whether your organisation already uses SAP Ariba. See Your starting point.

    Register here Am I a new or existing supplier?

  2. Access

     Use the unique, system-generated link in your invitation email to open the tender. Each tender has its own secure link - please do not reuse an old one. Show detailsHide details

    However, to access a specific TMA tender, always use the unique link provided in the invitation email.

    An SAP Ariba invitation email from TradeMark Africa. The message says the supplier has been invited to participate in an event, gives the user name to sign in with, and provides a Click Here link to access the event.
    Your invitation email carries the one link that opens that tender. Look for Click Here to access this event.

  3. Review and clarify

     Have a question? Send it privately to TMA using Compose Message. Your questions are not visible to other bidders. Show detailsHide details
    The row of action buttons at the foot of an SAP Ariba sourcing event: Submit Entire Response, Update Totals, Save draft, Compose Message and Excel Import.
    The controls sit in one row at the foot of the event: Compose Message for private questions, Save draft as you work.

    Where a clarification is relevant to all bidders, TMA will issue formal clarifications through the tender.

  4. Complete and submit

     Review the RFP and terms, complete the mandatory fields, attach the required documents, enter your pricing and save drafts as you go. When ready, click Submit Entire Response. Show detailsHide details
    The SAP Ariba sourcing console. A left-hand checklist runs from Review Event Details to Submit Response, response rows are marked with red asterisks and Attach a file links, a countdown clock shows the time remaining, and a dialog asks Submit this response?
    Mandatory rows carry a red *. The clock at top right is the tender's hard closing time. It does not pause for you.
    Run the bid-readiness check

New and existing suppliers

Status
You do not yet have an Ariba Commerce Cloud profile.
What to do
When invited to a tender, open the system-generated email and click the unique link, then select Create new account.
The SAP Business Network connection screen for TRADEMARK AFRICA, offering a Review Accounts button and, below it, the choices Use existing account and Create new account.
Both routes meet on this screen. Choose Create new account.
Status
You already have an SAP Business Network (ABN) account.
What to do
Log in with your existing credentials and select Use existing account to link your profile with TMA.
The SAP Business Network connection screen for TRADEMARK AFRICA, offering a Review Accounts button and, below it, the choices Use existing account and Create new account.
Both routes meet on this screen. Choose Use existing account.

Setting up an account takes three quick steps.

1

Choose the data centre for your location (this cannot be changed later)

The SAP Choose a Data Center screen with a Note dialog warning that the selected data centre can only be changed until account creation is complete.
2

verify the one-time password (OTP) sent to your email (the OTP is valid for 30 minutes)

The SAP Business Network one-time password email. The code itself is masked; the message states the OTP is valid for 30 minutes.
3

and confirm. Your organisation is then registered and ready to receive tender invitations.

Join the SAP Business Network

Registration takes only a few minutes and use of a standard SAP Business Network account for participating in TMA tender opportunities is free of charge.

Register here

If you do not already have an account, register on the SAP Business Network.

What is the SAP Business Network?

The SAP Business Network is a web-based platform that connects suppliers with TMA's procurement system, TMA iProcure, and lets you interact with TMA electronically. Once registered, you can access tender documents, ask questions, upload supporting documents and submit bids securely, all in one place.

Why join the SAP Business Network?

Registering brings several benefits:

  • Fewer manual, paper-based steps with a single, clear record of your communications and submissions.
  • One centralised profile. Register once and reuse it for every TMA opportunity.
  • Timely notifications, so you never miss a relevant TMA tender.
  • Secure, streamlined electronic bidding that reduces common errors such as missing attachments or incomplete responses.
  • A mobile app to receive notifications and manage your responses on the go.

How to join / register

Registration on the SAP Business Network takes only a few minutes. If you are not yet registered, visit https://service.ariba.com/Supplier.aw to sign up. We encourage suppliers to register early and get familiar with the platform before participating in tender opportunities.

Before you submit undertake a quick bid-readiness check. Ensure:

Bid-readiness check

0 of 5 checked

How it fits together

How your organisation connects to TMA iProcure Your organisation registers once on the SAP Business Network, which connects to TMA iProcure. TMA sends a tender invitation containing a unique link; you return your bid through the Network. TMA iProcure covers supplier registration, sourcing, contracting, bid submission and invoicing. You Your organisation One profile, reused for every TMA opportunity The front door SAP Business Network Where you register, sign in and respond TMA TMA iProcure TradeMark Africa's SAP Ariba system Register Submit bid Invitation email: a unique link for each tender What TMA iProcure covers Supplier registration Sourcing Contracting Bid submission Invoicing What you do there Access tender documents Ask questions privately Upload documents & submit

For a full walkthrough of registration and bid submission, download the supplier guide:

Download the Supplier Guide (PDF) Download the FAQs (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

I received an invitation email, but I cannot access the tender. What should I do?

Confirm you are logged into the same SAP Business Network account where the invitation was sent, and that your user has permission for tender opportunities. If it still does not appear, contact TMA so we can confirm the correct account and re-invite you if needed.

What is the difference between acknowledging an invitation and submitting a response?

Acknowledging confirms you have received the invitation and intend to participate. Submitting is your official bid, i.e., pricing, attachments and questionnaires, etc, which is what is evaluated.

Where do I enter pricing, and why are some fields sometimes locked?

Pricing is entered in the Pricing / Lots / Line Items section (or a downloadable sourcing spreadsheet). Fields may be locked when they have been set as read-only, when the tender is still in a preview stage, or when you are viewing a previous round.

How do I upload required documents such as certifications or proposals?

Use the Attach / Add Attachment option in the relevant section (tender, lot, line or questionnaire), so each document is uploaded to the correct place and evaluated accordingly.

Are my questions visible to other suppliers?

No. Questions submitted through Compose Message are sent privately to TMA and are not shared with other bidders. Where a clarification is relevant to all bidders, TMA will issue formal clarifications through the tender.

Can I edit my response after I submit it?

It depends on the tender rules. Most tender opportunities let you Revise Response and resubmit before the deadline; while others lock after submission. Where editing is allowed, use the Revise Response button on the Tender Details page and resubmit before the submission deadline time.

An SAP Ariba dialog headed Revise Response, explaining that a response has already been submitted and offering OK or Cancel.
What happens if I miss the deadline or my submission fails?

Tender opportunities close at the time stated in the tender document/bid extension notice and captured in the system. Suppliers should register, upload documents and submit their bids well before the deadline.

If you suspect a technical issue, take screenshots and contact TMA immediately. However, screenshots or reports of technical difficulties do not automatically constitute acceptance of a late submission, which will be handled strictly in accordance with the applicable tender conditions. Please, register and submit well ahead of the deadline. Late registration or avoidable technical issues remain the bidder's responsibility.

Need help?

Tender-specific questions

Please use the specific tender opportunity's Compose Message function so your query reaches the right recipient.

Technical support

For registration, login, tender access or bid submission, contact procurement@trademarkafrica.com.

A note to bidders: we strongly encourage suppliers to familiarise themselves with the platform well before a tender's closing date. Registering and submitting early is the surest way to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Our Funding Partners

Stay Connected to Africa’s Trade Transformation

From groundbreaking research and regional initiatives to success stories and upcoming events, discover how trade is creating opportunities and driving prosperity across Africa.