CargoPlug Carves Niche in Nigeria’s Cross-Border Logistics Market with Lean, Transparent Model
Founders bet on transparency, tech integrations, and diaspora connections to compete in crowded logistics space
When Kikelomo Fola-Ogunniya and Ujama Akpata returned to Nigeria in 2013 after studying in the UK, they ran into a familiar problem for many in the diaspora: shipping goods into the country was a frustrating mix of delays, hidden fees, poor tracking, and customs headaches. What started as a personal pain point soon turned into a business—CargoPlug—built to solve that exact problem for thousands of others like them.
Originally known as Jand2Gidi, a nod to Nigerian slang for “abroad to Lagos,” the company has grown from moving makeup boxes and personal suitcases to orchestrating complex freight solutions across global trade corridors—including the UK, US, Canada, China, Turkey, and Europe. As the scale and sophistication of the business grew, so did its identity. The brand re-emerged as CargoPlug, a full-fledged logistics platform designed for modern cross-border shipping.
Transparent Pricing and Tailored Services
CargoPlug’s value proposition is simple: clear, upfront pricing, fast delivery timelines, and lean logistics. In a market where consumers often only discover the real cost of shipping after their packages arrive, CargoPlug’s dashboard displays every fee before payment—shipping cost, customs, insurance, and last-mile delivery—giving customers full visibility.
From its flagship UK corridor, the company charges £5 per kilogram (5kg minimum), inclusive of customs and delivery to its Lagos hub. For U.S. shipments, it’s $14.19/kg with a 1kg minimum. Bulk B2B imports from China, Turkey, and parts of Europe follow a customized quote system with starting thresholds from 20kg to 100kg. Sea freight is available for customers seeking lower rates—starting around $2/kg—at the cost of longer delivery times.
“It’s not just about cost. It’s about speed and predictability,” said Fola-Ogunniya. “If you need to turn over inventory quickly, you’ll pay for air.”
CargoPlug offers doorstep delivery in Lagos for an additional ₦3,000–₦4,000 ($1.89–$2.50), or customers can pick up directly from its Lekki hub.
L-R Kikelomo Fola-Ogunniya and Ujama Akpata
B2B Growth and API Integrations
While its early customer base was largely made up of individuals, CargoPlug is now expanding rapidly into the B2B space, catering to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) importing electronics, fashion items, tools, books, and machinery.
To support this shift, the company has rolled out API integrations for merchants in the UK and Europe, enabling them to embed CargoPlug into their websites for instant quotes and live tracking—similar to services offered by e-commerce giants like Amazon. This allows international sellers to offer seamless shipping experiences to Nigerian customers.
“We’re not just delivering packages,” said Akpata. “We’re delivering trust.”
This strategy targets SMEs shipping between 5 to 500 kilograms per week—a segment CargoPlug argues is underserved by both high-cost international couriers like DHL and large-scale freight-forwarders focused on container loads.
Funding, Expansion, and the UK Hub Playbook
Bootstrapped for nearly a decade, CargoPlug took in its first outside capital in 2021, raising $100,000 from friends and family. In 2024, it joined Techstars Washington DC, securing another $100,000 in pre-seed funding. The company remains profitable and committed to disciplined growth, reporting 28% year-on-year revenue growth and over 1 million packages delivered to date.
A major turning point came with the launch of a self-operated warehouse hub in the UK, replacing reliance on third-party consolidators. This gave CargoPlug tighter control over customs clearance, dispatch times, and end-to-end logistics—a move that not only reduced delays but improved margins on its most active corridor.
The UK playbook is now being replicated in North America and Asia, beginning with strategic warehousing partnerships. The goal is to build a global logistics network capable of supporting the projected $1.8 trillion cross-border B2B e-commerce market by 2028—especially with the growing demand from African buyers and diaspora communities shipping goods home.
Competing in a Crowded Market
CargoPlug faces stiff competition from both legacy players like DHL and emerging startups such as Topship, Sendbox, and CourierPlus. However, its founders believe there’s room to grow by focusing on the “middle ground”—businesses that are too large for consumer-focused couriers, yet too small or time-sensitive for traditional freight.
With its asset-light model, tight operational control, and focus on predictability and personalization, CargoPlug is betting on a new kind of logistics service—one designed not just to move packages, but to empower global commerce between Africa and the world.