Nigerian Tech Entrepreneur To Tackle Transportation Bottlenecks In Nigeria

The further boost transportation network in the country towards improving productivity and efficiency, a tech entrepreneur has formally Unveiled a Digital Platform To Address Transparency, Delays & Rising Importation Costs For Car Dealers in Nigeria.

At the official launching of the Technology driven logistics platform in Abuja, the Chief Executive Office and Founder, Chief Valentine Uzuegbu said the forum was aimed at resolving the long-standing operational and financial challenges facing car dealers in the country’s importation market.

Chief Uzuegbu, explained that the new platform is designed to close communication gaps, improve transparency, and streamline the vehicle importation process from international auctions to final delivery in Nigeria.

He stressed that the Nigerian vehicle importation sector was backwards citing poor coordination, fragmented logistics, and limited visibility between auction yards abroad and Nigerian ports.

“The industry has been devoid of communication and structure. Dealers often win auctions but, what determines their actual profit is everything that happens after that, ranging from trucking, shipping, classification, documentation, exchange rate volatility and unexpected charges.”

“My Car Importer operates as a process management company rather than a car trading business hence provides end-to-end transaction oversight, including cost analysis before bidding, risk evaluation, documentation management, trucking coordination, shipping classification guidance and real-time tracking updates.”

“We are not here to compete with car dealers but, to support them and protect their margins.The company’s pilot phase will focus on imports from the United States, Canada and China into Nigeria, with plans to expand to Ghana and the Benin Republic in subsequent phases.”

Uzuegbu, noted that shipment timelines from the U.S. to Nigeria average approximately six weeks, but procedural errors and incomplete documentation frequently cause avoidable delays and additional charges been incorrect auction documentation, failure to declare a vehicle as non-operational, or neglecting to indicate forklift requirements resulting in penalties, storage fees of up to $60 per day, and extra logistics costs ranging from $300 to $650.”

“Importation is not a buying business but, a process management business .The auction price only determines potential profit and everything else determines actual profit.My car Importer noted a lot of key industry pain point involves vehicle shipping classifications whether a vehicle qualifies as “run and drive, non-runner or requires forklift handling.”

“Vehicles that cannot start, have severe suspension damage, locked steering, or major structural impact often attract additional handling fees because disputes frequently arise when dealers are unaware of these risks before purchase so, by integrating photo analysis tools and inspection reviews at the pre-bid stage to help dealers assess the likelihood of additional shipping charges before committing to a transaction.”

Uzuegbu, stressed that the company is partnering with payment gateways to enable dealers to make auction, trucking and shipping payments in naira, while the company handles dollar sourcing and settlement among others.”

“Dealers typically make multiple dollar-denominated payments for auctions, trucking and shipping before clearing vehicles in naira at Nigerian ports leading to fluctuating exchange rates and delayed payments which often erode margins and trigger storage penalties.Our goal is to remove the uncertainty around exchange rates and late payments.”

“We are introducing constant communication, structured tracking and verified trucking partnerships to eliminate avoidable losses.
The company is also building a network of vetted truckers to ensure faster vehicle movement from auction yards to the nearest seaports, reducing storage costs and turnaround time. I see hardworking dealers whose businesses depend on turning inventory quickly, yet their operations were constantly disrupted by inefficiencies in the import chain.” he added .

Ene Idoko, Edited By Grace Namiji