Table of Contents
Key Points
- Nigerian exporters can now ship Less-than-Container Load (LCL) goods directly to the UK, cutting costs and delays via third-party ports.
- Import deals with firms from India and China will give Nigerian SMEs access to SIFAX warehouses and bonded terminals.
- Under Taiwo Afolabi’s leadership, SIFAX continues to support African trade through strategic logistics upgrades and SME-focused solutions.
SIFAX Shipping Company Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group led by Nigerian logistics tycoon Taiwo Afolabi, has introduced a new direct Less-than-Container Load (LCL) export service from Nigeria to the United Kingdom. The move, made possible through a partnership with Netcargo UK Limited, a subsidiary of Net Cargo Group, is set to ease the challenges many local businesses face in exporting goods to the UK.
Direct UK shipping cuts export costs
For years, Nigerian exporters—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—have struggled with complicated shipping processes, costly transshipments, and unpredictable delivery timelines. According to Adekunle Owobamirin, General Manager, Groupage and Export Services at SIFAX Shipping, this new service will allow exporters to ship directly to the UK without having to route cargo through third-party ports.
“This is one of the most meaningful steps we’ve taken to support Nigerian exporters,” Owobamirin said. “With this direct route, we’re reducing costs, saving time, and giving our clients a more reliable path to get their goods into the UK market. It’s especially important for smaller businesses that don’t have the capacity to fill entire containers.”
Logistics upgrade aims to empower SMEs
Beyond its UK-focused initiative, SIFAX Shipping has also secured an import partnership with WSC Logistics and Shotto Logistics Limited. This new arrangement will allow goods coming from regions like India and China to be processed through SIFAX’s bonded terminals and warehouses in Nigeria. The setup is designed to support third-party logistics firms that may not have their own infrastructure by giving them access to SIFAX’s facilities and technical expertise.
Owobamirin explained that the first trial shipments began in June, with full operations ramping up in July. “Our bonded warehouses have already been upgraded to handle the additional cargo volumes. The goal is to clear and dispatch goods quickly, without the usual hold-ups. This helps both our clients and the broader supply chain,” he said.
He added that improving these logistics channels doesn’t just make trade easier—it also has wider economic benefits. “By opening up direct export options and handling more import volume locally, we’re helping businesses grow, creating new jobs, and supporting Nigeria’s participation in global trade in a practical way.”
Afolabi expands SIFAX's continental footprint
Founded in 1988 by lawyer and businessman Taiwo Afolabi, SIFAX Group has grown into one of Africa’s leading conglomerates, with operations spanning aviation, oil and gas, maritime, logistics, and hospitality. Afolabi’s leadership has played a central role in expanding the group’s reach and influence across the continent.
Last year, SIFAX Shipping partnered with ECU Worldwide to improve LCL export services, further supporting Nigerian businesses trying to reach international markets. That collaboration also targeted SMEs, allowing them to share container space and reduce costs—an approach that has become increasingly vital as global shipping rates fluctuate and trade routes shift.
