Have you always wanted to start a logistics business in Nigeria? Here is how to do so and what things you should look out for.
There are currently 3 types of these business one can do, and if you can cope with the stress you can do all three. The first is international to local logistics and vice versa, inter state logistics and intra state logistics. Am going to limit this post for logistics for inter state and intra state.

For intra state logistics, you have to get at least one mode of transportation for your operation and outsource the rest that are not within your catchment area. For inter state you have to partner with travel companies and thier logistics arm so that you can get things done easily for all your customers.

The following are the most crucial for your day to day activity, when you start.

1: Make the publicity know so that you can start getting calls and package drop requests from your friends and referrals.

2: Keep a record of all your customers both receiving customers and sending customers from the very first start. This customers will be the ones deciding on whether you succeed or not.

3: Use smart waybill systems like maptrackapp for your waybill generation, its free for smaller companies. These waybill will help you create a database of all your customers in one place. You can make use of these records to send notifications to your customers when you have a promotional campaign.

4: Get a tracking system for your delivery vehicles and always ensure that you can monitor the movements of your vehicles in realtime.

5: Before hiring a rider(s) for your operation, it is very crucial that you vet the rider and their guarantor and also get to meet the guarantor in person at their homes. The said guarantor must sign in your presence at your office premises so that they both know what they are entering into. If this happens then be sure the rider is going to behave very well working with you, if not do not hire. I had a situation one time the vendor owner hired two people on trust and both bikes ended up stolen. Only one was recovered because it had a tracker installed.

6: Keep inventory of your activity, both your expenditures and your incomes, this will show you how you are doing and you can quickly evaluate whether its worth it or now.

7: Know that a happy customer is one whose package was delivered within the set time you advised. So charge an insurance like fee incase there is mishap, you can refund the customer their money. Though this might not happen at all, its just a precaution. It will also prevent the had i known story.

8: Once you get to the heart of it, be ready to receive alot of calls from your customers especially if you are hauling food and perishable items. Every job comes with their own headaches. The smart waybill can also help you send automated updates to your customers when their package is on the move.

9: Repeat no 5 again. Its very vital for your survial and can save you alot of stress.

10: Get to know the current rate charts and the scale pricing where applicable. Do not agree to all types of items, especially contrabands, fragile items without proper package paddings. some people learn this the hard way. if any consolation you can sell packaging materials as part of your revenue generation.

All business is a risk, not doing business is also a risk. You just have to understand your risks before you get started.
I hope this post will help you get started.