Nigerian women’s contribution to the growth of logistics on the African continent cannot be understated. These women aged between 30 and 35 years accounted for 37% of the 3rd party logistics on Terminal Africa, a logistics technology company that empowers operators and individuals with the tools to grow and ship conveniently. They powered global trade flows through their small-scale businesses of 3-5 staff.
The Nigerian diaspora continues to demand goods from home. Data retrieved from Terminal Africa indicates that 50% of shipments went to the United States, with Texas, Maryland, and New York leading the way. The United Kingdom followed with 17%, while Canada received 6.7% of shipments. These figures reflect the locations of large Nigerian communities abroad. Additionally, customers spent a total of ₦8.8 billion ($5.8 million) on deliveries in 2024.
Women are also making their presence known in the wider export economy. By March 2025, there were 30,876 registered exporters in Nigeria, and 12,095 of them were women. That means women now represent 39.17% of exporters, a sign that female-led businesses are becoming central to Nigeria’s trade.
On the products side, four categories stood out in 2024. Clothing topped the list with 194.5 tonnes. Food items made up 13.66% of shipments. Books and printed materials accounted for 10.12% of local deliveries, while beauty and skincare products dominated both local and international exports.
Some shipments also took unexpected routes. Over ₦77 million ($51,000) worth of goods went to Libya, despite its fragile security situation. More than 30 deliveries were recorded to Oita in rural Japan. These shipments were linked to a female entrepreneur who sells Nigerian fabrics. In August 2024, the Japanese city of Kisarazu was designated the “Hometown for Nigeria” by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which will increase the importance of Nigerian exports to Japan.
Click to signupTerminal Africa is positioning itself as a leader by combining technology, payments, and logistics. With Nigeria’s diaspora spread across the globe and demand for local products rising, exports are starting to look as seamless as last-mile delivery. At the centre of this shift are women, whose growing role is reshaping the future of trade.
