E-Business
B2B e-Commerce Boosting the Manufacturing, Distribution Value Chain
As increasing demand for groceries and essential goods continues to push manufacturers to double up capacity, B2B e-Commerce platforms are increasingly becoming a strategic force to be reckoned with in the manufacturing, distribution and retail value chain in Nigeria.
This is more so, because the global economy is still smarting from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, which halted productive activities and left huge supply shortfalls.
Also, there is pressure on manufacturers and top-tier distributors to get goods and services across faster to the consumers. In a country as vast as Nigeria with a large spread of consumers, B2B platforms are strategically positioned to bridge the gaps in the distribution value chain by COVID-19.
B2B platforms offer manufacturers and producers a more agile fleet that takes products to the consumers faster and in a more cost-efficient and convenient way, a value that distinguishes them from B2C platforms.
For instance, Alerzo, a major market player in the B2B market, acts as enablers of manufacturers, distributors and retailers by transporting goods ordered from manufacturers or distributors’ warehouses to the target retailers at no cost to either the manufacturers/distributors or retailers. A typical example is Alerzo’s free delivery service to informal traders.
This way, B2B e-Commerce platforms empower businesses to reduce their cost and increase profitability, thereby making businesses more sustainable.
Nigeria’s informal retail market is one big chunk of the distribution value chain. It is estimated to be worth $100 billion, but the segment is faced with some peculiar challenges –limited inventory, lack of access to finance for expansion, unregulated and clustered market, distance to market or supply source and high transportation cost, all of which increase cost of operations.
In response to the challenges, B2B e-Commerce platforms including Alerzo (AlerzoShop), TradeDepot, Omnibiz and Njalo, to mention a few, are empowering informal retailers in the sub-urban and rural areas with faster distribution of consumer goods using first-party relationship platforms.
The platforms allow manufacturers and top-tier primary suppliers to clear their inventory faster, while the B2B operators deal with the last-mile supply and delivery to the retailers. Most of the players in the B2B e-Commerce segment through their digital platforms connect retailers to local and multinational manufacturers and distributors of consumer brands.
Through its ecosystem of digital products, Alerzo, for example, has been empowering informal retailers to access a wide assortment of consumer products – with ease and speed – from FMCG companies such as Unilever, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, PZ Cussons and Dangote at zero delivery cost to the retailers.
Another way B2B platforms benefit manufacturers and tier one distributors is data gathering and market intelligence on vital information such as consumer behaviour and preferences.
They analyse data and share market insights with the manufacturers to further help them in research and product development, while distributors also use such information to scale up operational efficiency.
Their ability to improve sales and assist manufacturers, distributors and retailers to plan and ensure predictable outcomes, also underscores the strategic importance of B2B operators.
While predicting six trends to watch out for in the B2B e-Commerce market segment in Nigeria, in 2022, tech enthusiasts tipped increasing adoption of B2B e-Commerce as one of the evolving business models for the year and opined that more retailers would be brought onboard the e-Commerce ecosystem through B2B platforms.
It was also predicted that the segment would open up to retailers in the non-consumables category to accommodate more high-earned product retailers, while the B2B e-Commerce segment would go bullish with the launch of fintech products.
Equally, B2B e-Commerce is expected to grow bigger in Nigeria as B2B shopping brands would expand their reach and services to more cities across Nigeria. The implication is that more opportunities are created for manufacturers to increase their market spread, while at the same time top tier distributors are also increasing their distribution network.
Further, more retailers are empowered to access products faster, and ultimately, the consumers are able to make purchases without having to travel miles to get whatever they want.
Indeed, the B2B e-Commerce platforms are a good complement to the manufacturers, distributors, retailers and the entire value chain including the consumers, who use the products.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its ICT Department.
This marks a significant stride toward enhancing electoral integrity, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
This decision was reached at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, following a series of consultations and engagements on the global and continental impact of AI on elections.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC underscored that the growing relevance of AI in electoral matters necessitated a proactive institutional framework to manage both the risks and opportunities it presents.
“Our interactions with electoral bodies across Africa highlighted both the risks of AI—such as fake news and content manipulation—and the vast potential it holds for data-driven decision-making, risk mitigation, automated voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics,” Olumekun noted.
According to him, the newly created division will centralise the Commission’s AI efforts, ensuring a harmonized approach to deploying intelligent systems that enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and boost the credibility of the electoral process.
“The creation of this division puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities in electoral management.
It is also part of our ongoing reforms in areas where administrative action is sufficient to drive change,” he said.
He added that the AI Division will help INEC better coordinate its existing technological investments while providing safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.
“We are positioning ourselves to maximise the positive impact of AI while mitigating its negative implications. This step strengthens the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria,” Olumekun concluded.
The initiative, INEC emphasised, reflects its commitment to embracing innovation in safeguarding democracy and improving electoral services nationwide.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
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