Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) announced that its Procurement team has received two major awards at the 4th Annual Middle East ProcureTech & Supply Chain Innovation Summit & Awards 2026.

The RAKEZ procurement team receiving the Best Procurement Team of the Year and Procurement Leader of the Year awards at the Middle East ProcureTech & Supply Chain Innovation Awards 2026.

The RAKEZ Procurement team was named Best Overall Procurement Team of the Year, while Jonathan Tungu, Head of Procurement at RAKEZ, was recognised as Procurement Leader of the Year, placing him among more than 50 leading procurement professionals from across the Middle East.

The Best Overall Procurement Team of the Year award recognised RAKEZ’s leadership in advancing procurement excellence through a comprehensive end-to-end digital transformation. The RAKEZ procurement team was commended for the successful rollout of an integrated e-procurement solution, streamlined vendor onboarding processes, enhanced sourcing and contract management capabilities, and the systematic integration of sustainability criteria into supplier evaluations. These initiatives are further supported by Business Intelligence reporting, strengthening transparency, governance, and ESG alignment across procurement operations.

The award also acknowledged RAKEZ’s flagship procurement initiative, EcoConnect, which brings together clients, suppliers, and partners to drive collaboration and supply chain innovation. Delivered across two annual editions, EcoConnect has enabled structured dialogue, knowledge sharing, and alignment on sustainability and resilience, fostering relationship-led value creation and strengthening trust, transparency, and long-term partnerships across RAKEZ’s procurement ecosystem.

Jonathan Tungu, Head of Procurement at RAKEZ, receiving the Procurement Leader of the Year award in recognition of his leadership in driving procurement transformation.

The Procurement Leader of the Year award recognised Jonathan Tungu’s role in driving procurement transformation at RAKEZ, with a focus on innovation, digital enablement, and the practical application of sustainable procurement practices, including his leadership in developing and advancing the EcoConnect initiative.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Alida Scholtz, Chief Financial Officer of RAKEZ, said, “These recognitions reflect the significant progress our procurement team has made in driving operational excellence and strengthening governance across RAKEZ. Through digital transformation, enhanced supplier management, and the integration of sustainability principles, the team has built a procurement framework that is both efficient and future-ready. Jonathan’s individual recognition is a testament to the leadership and discipline underpinning this transformation.”

Reflecting on the achievement, Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, said, “This recognition highlights RAKEZ’s commitment to embedding excellence and innovation across all functions of our organisation. Strong procurement practices are fundamental to building resilient partnerships and delivering long-term value to our investors. We are proud to see our team recognised at a regional level for their dedication and impact.”

The awards reaffirm RAKEZ’s commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability, and highlight the growing impact of its procurement function in supporting the authority’s broader economic development objectives.