As the orders increase, it rubs off on package delivery in
the logistics arm of the sector. The latest report also showed a record 1.3
million packages delivered in the second quarter of 2021 compared to half a
million packages in the full year 2020. The foregoing serve as pointers to the
growing adoption of e-commerce on the African continent. Even the skeptics of
the viability of e-commerce service in Nigeria must have at one time or the
other benefited from the services in past years.
Interestingly, one of such staunch doubters of online retail
services in Nigeria currently owns a logistics hub that is thriving on the
wings of its partnership with Jumia. He is not only smiling to the bank, his
company is also creating employment opportunities. “I was one of those who
initially felt that e-commerce can never thrive in Nigeria. but as of today,
the numbers are showing that things are different,” said Segun Babs, Founder of
Fairy Trips Limited.
Babs said his personal business experience shows a growing
e-commerce trend in the country. In July, Fairy Trips delivered 14,000
packages. This was coming from a period of 40 packages that went even down to
14 packages at the early stage of the business. According to him, e-commerce
gained more traction during the Covid-19 lockdown periods of 2020 and the
culture is still being sustained in the emerging post Covid-19 era.
“These numbers show the increasing rate of adoption of
e-commerce space in Nigeria. I can’t really say because I don’t have the data,
but I can say it’s either people are buying more or embracing the ecommerce
space more.
Another thing to consider is that by the time Covid came
last year, we had a lot of orders coming and they were everyday household
items; groceries and others. The people who were isolated, we were giving them
packages, sending them food and things to eat and other everyday items. It
shows that there is a big adoption and it can only get better,” he said.
The Fairy Trips boss is also looking forward to a business
boom as the year runs out with festive sales activities. He said “If we had
14,000 packages for the month of July, I am waiting to see what we would do in
November-December when there’s a tier one event coming up. All these things
show that e-commerce is here to stay and Jumia is a preferred partner to go
with.”
For Babs, his investment in the business is yielding
profits. E-commerce is gaining more ground on the continent, and he’s reaching
out to friends and family to join the moving train, invest and make a decent
living from the growing market. “Am I reaping the effort I have put into the
company? definitely yes.
Now I have family members, friends employed in the business.
People that came for help and I ask them to join the 3PL to do deliveries and
make money for themselves. I have friends I told to come sign up, have a hub,
become a partner and make a decent living
off the whole business. So for me, e-commerce is here to stay. Kudos to
Jumia, they’ve done a really fantastic job.”
The fact that e-commerce is becoming a part of daily life in
Nigeria is becoming glaring to all. Even if you aren’t yet on the train, you
can see and feel its movement around you. The growth is reflected in the
numbers of activities, and more importantly in the first hand testimonials of
customers and partners who benefit from the impact of the services.
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