Singapore-based AI firm Cogniviti Labs has launched operations in South Africa to accelerate digital transformation in procurement and finance. Led by industry expert Manav Sachdeva, the firm will offer proprietary AI solutions and global implementation expertise for platforms like Coupa.
The launch brings C-Labs’ award-winning AI-powered enterprise solutions and digital transformation expertise to South African organisations looking to modernise procurement, finance and business operations.
Founded in Singapore, C-Labs has expanded at a remarkable pace, establishing operations in Singapore (HQ and delivery centre), India (delivery centre), Indonesia (delivery centre), with Australia, United Kingdom and South Africa now coming online. Built by practitioners, not traditional software consultants, C-Labs combines the strategic rigour of global consulting with deep operational expertise, bringing together leaders who have successfully designed and delivered large-scale digital transformation programmes for some of the world’s most complex organisations.
The African business will be led by Manav Sachdeva, a recognized ProcureTech and digital transformation leader with over two decades of experience with procurement innovation, automation and technology-led transformation. C-Labs South Africa will operate with a local sales and delivery team based in Johannesburg, supported by the group’s established delivery centres in Singapore and India, giving South African clients access to global expertise with local accountability.
As a global implementation and transformation partner for some of the world’s leading SaaS platforms, including Coupa and OneStream, C-Labs brings proven capabilities across full transformation cycle – from strategy and solution design through to implementation, adoption and continuous innovation. According to Sachdeva, the South African business will initially focus on three core offerings:
Enterprise Procurement and Finance Transformation through Coupa
Recognised by Coupa as its New International Breakout Partner of the Year 2026, C-Labs will provide end-to-end Coupa source-to-pay transformation that goes beyond technology deployment. Its approach combines operating model design, solution implementation, change management and deployment of Coupa AI agents to ensure enterprises unlock measurable business value from their digital investments.
Proprietary AI Solutions
C-Labs has developed its own stack of AI-driven Spend Analytics and Master Data Management tools to transform complex and fragmented spend and master data into actionable intelligence. “Unlike other off-the-shelf solutions, we co-develop AI-powered procurement solutions with our clients, tailoring them to their specific business challenges, processes and data environments. Our platforms are highly flexible and integration-ready for ERPs such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft and Sage”, said Manav Sachdeva.
Agentic AI for Future Enterprise
Looking ahead, C-Labs has also developed its own portfolio of AI agents for procurement and finance functions, designed to augment enterprise teams by automating complex workflows, generating insights and enabling faster decision making. These domain-specific intelligent digital agents will position South African organisations at the forefront of the nxt wave of autonomous, intelligent business operations.
According to Sachdeva, Cogniviti Labs’ entry into South Africa represents more than geographic expansion — it reflects the growing demand for a new generation of transformation partners that combine strategic advisory experience, deep enterprise technology expertise and AI-led innovation.
“South African organisations are entering a new era of transformation where the question is no longer whether they should adopt AI, but how quickly they can turn it into measurable business value,” said Manav Sachdeva, Managing Director, Cogniviti Labs South Africa.
“What makes Cogniviti Labs different is that we bring together the strategic thinking of a global consultancy, the execution capability of a technology partner, and the innovation mindset of an AI company.
We are not here to simply implement software we are here to partner with organisations to solve complex business challenges, co-create intelligent solutions and help redefine the future of procurement and finance.
Having worked with some of Africa’s largest enterprises over the past two decades, I believe the region has an incredible opportunity to leapfrog traditional transformation journeys and become a leader in AI-enabled business operations. Our mission is to bring global innovation, deep industry expertise and practical AI solutions that deliver real outcomes for African businesses.”
Proven Leadership for South African Market
A well respected ProcureTech leader, Sachdeva brings over 22 years’ of procurement and supply chain experience, 16 of those in advisory spanning mining, retail, manufacturing, financial services and telecoms. He has led over 10 source-to-pay projects in South Africa across platforms such as Coupa, SAP Ariba, Microsoft, Zycus, Medius, and Synertrade, a track record unmatched in the local market.
In addition to source-to-pay, Sachdeva has advised numerous clients on procurement strategy, operating model design, and cost optimisation. He is a regular speaker and contributor at SmartProcurementWorld conferences where he shares his perspectives on the future of procurement operating models.
