In the last few years, Africa’s logistics market has experienced significant growth, primarily driven by e-commerce, increased trade, and improved infrastructure.
A surge in online shoppers has led to a corresponding increase in demand for logistics services, as e-commerce companies rely on efficient logistics operations to deliver goods to customers.
The impact of the rise of e-commerce on the Nigerian economy is becoming increasingly prominent by the day, driving the wholesale and retail trade end-user segment. The e-commerce industry is expected to grow with a CAGR of 10.79% from 2023-2027.
However, the recent Eastern Europe conflict has led to a worldwide energy crisis, a shortfall in production, and a scarcity of supplies. This has also translated into increased goods and services globally, especially import dependent countries like Nigeria. Furthermore, this has affected the price of energy (fuel), a major production cost in the delivery industry, and delivery rates.
Speaking on this, the founder of Nigerian leading delivery startup, Fez Delivery said, “In the last year, we’ve seen that businesses are troubled when it has to do with convincing their customers or users to buy from them just because of delivery rates. There’s nothing delivery companies can do to influence the fuel cost.”
Nevertheless, rather than back down, leading logistics startups like Fez Delivery are innovating to make the delivery of goods cheaper and more efficient. With the launch of their new Fez Safe Lockers that harnesses the power of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, are set to redefine the landscape of last-mile delivery in Lagos and beyond.
How does Fez Safe Lockers work
Fez Safe Lockers would allow customers within a 5 KM radius of every pickup spot to walk into designated spots and pick up with an OTP. The Fez Safe Lockers offer a revolutionary solution, providing people with a convenient and secure way to send, receive, and collect items.
The order process remains the same but a few things change. Rather than having multiple riders on the road, just a few riders or a bus will be required. Also, rather than delivering to various destinations, there’ll be one central location where people within a 5 km radius will walk to pick up their items.
So when a users make an order, a few riders or one bus pick up at various locations and take them to the Safe Locker location. Then they input it in the locker and automatically notify the receivers that their packages are ready for pickup.
When users reach the location, they’ll enter the OTP sent to their app and the box with their items will open. The cost of selecting the Safe locker option is ₦999, and the locker is at three strategic locations in Admiralty Way Lekki, Ikate, and Ikoyi.
Speaking to Bendada.com at the product launch on January 10th, Seun Alley, the CEO of Fez Delivery said, “With this new product we are envisaging that customers will begin to buy more from the businesses that we serve. Which automatically translates into prosperity for us. We envisage growth, and at the crux of what we want is to see our partners succeed.”
In addition, beyond convenience, Safe Lockers is committed to sustainability. “These lockers will play a pivotal role in our collective efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. We are taking significant steps towards a greener and more eco-friendly future by minimizing the need for our riders to travel extensively,” Alley added.
Nigerian logistic industry projections for 2024
Regarding her projections for 2024, Alley is optimistic about the new year and expects things to become stable towards mid-year. “The logistics industry is resilient to survive any chaos. Ours is an essential commodity, we can’t break down and quit.”
“Towards mid-year and the end of the year, there will be a balance between delivery price and items ordered. In addition, in spite these crises here and there, the e-commerce space has kept growing. The logistics industry is the backbone of e-commerce. So if e-commerce grows, we grow too,” she added.
