Bright Ojo’s SmartChain-SRM combines artificial intelligence and blockchain to enhance real-time risk management and transparency in global supply networks, aiming to build more resilient and agile logistics systems amid recent disruptions.
From fragile conduits of global trade to resilient networks reinforced by cutting-edge technology, supply chains have experienced a transformative moment. The recent unveiling of SmartChain-SRM by Nigerian innovator Bright Ojo marks a significant stride toward this transformation, offering a sophisticated tool that blends artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to anticipate and mitigate disruptions in global supply chains.
Bright Ojo, a master’s graduate from the University of Arkansas and a seasoned operations expert, has designed SmartChain-SRM with the ambitious goal of addressing vulnerabilities exposed by recent global events. The importance of this innovation is rooted in experiences such as the 2021 Suez Canal blockage, which immobilised billions of dollars in daily trade, and the protracted semiconductor shortages that echoed through critical sectors from automotive manufacturing to electronics. These crises, compounded by climate-related disasters like hurricanes and floods, have underscored the pressing need for supply chains to become more resilient, agile, and transparent.
SmartChain-SRM employs a unique integration of AI-driven predictive analytics and blockchain’s immutable ledger to provide real-time risk detection and management. Its UK-registered design includes an Internet of Things (IoT) gateway that secures data integrity at key points such as warehouses and ports. This IoT integration enables continuous monitoring of variables like location, temperature, and humidity—critical for industries like pharmaceuticals where cold chain maintenance can be lifesaving. The AI engine processes an extensive range of inputs—capable of incorporating external data such as geopolitical intelligence and weather forecasts—to detect patterns indicating possible disruptions weeks or even months ahead.
Blockchain technology underpins a secure and transparent framework, ensuring all transactions—from supplier contracts to shipping logs—are immutable and verifiable. Smart contracts within the system automate responses to detected issues, ranging from shipment rerouting to compliance checks, thereby minimizing delays traditionally caused by human error. The platform also prioritises cybersecurity, with AI monitoring for threats like malware and phishing attacks. Upon detection, suspicious nodes can be isolated, keeping sensitive logistics data secure and trustworthy.
Industry data supports the potential impact of platforms like SmartChain-SRM. Studies and reports from organisations such as KPMG highlight how the blending of AI, IoT, and blockchain creates so-called ‘smart supply chains’ that augment resilience, improve agility, and optimise operational efficiency. These technologies enable businesses to anticipate risks more accurately and respond with speed and precision. Sector experts note that such innovations will be essential as supply chains navigate increasing complexities driven by geopolitical instability, climate change, and digitisation challenges.
The importance of data synergy is also emphasised in academic research, which shows that the combination of blockchain’s transparency and AI’s analytic prowess builds trust among supply chain partners by automating processes and reducing fraud risk. Real-time data tracking through IoT devices further enhances visibility along the entire supply chain, enabling proactive decision-making rather than reactive crisis management.
Ojo’s platform stands out by addressing integration challenges that often hamper adoption. His experience tackling interoperability between legacy ERP systems and modern IoT sensors during development resulted in a scalable architecture capable of processing massive data volumes with minimal latency. The multi-layered system adapts across diverse sectors, from securing vaccine cold chains in healthcare to optimising logistics for manufacturing and agriculture. This adaptability points towards broader economic and social benefits—stabilising industries, safeguarding food security in vulnerable regions, and creating tech and logistics jobs worldwide.
Academic and industry commentators endorse SmartChain-SRM’s paradigm. Professor Ikponmwosa Ignatius Omorodion of Ambrose Alli University describes it as a global benchmark for AI-blockchain integration in supply chains. Similarly, professionals like Daniel Adelakun from Intel highlight its real-time risk mitigation and secure data framework as a leap forward in next-generation logistics.
Looking forward, Ojo envisions extending SmartChain-SRM’s capabilities, incorporating enhanced AI models to forecast risks up to six months ahead while adding sustainability metrics to align with global environmental goals. He is exploring partnerships for deployment across sectors like energy and retail, with an eye on integrating advanced IoT sensors to monitor carbon footprints.
In essence, SmartChain-SRM represents more than a technological innovation; it is a step toward future-proofing global supply chains amid unprecedented challenges. By harnessing the combined strengths of AI’s foresight and blockchain’s trustworthiness, Ojo’s platform empowers businesses to operate with confidence, fostering economic stability and resilience in a world where supply chains must be both unbreakable and responsible.
Source: Noah Wire Services
