In Nigeria, entrepreneurship is a crucial driver of economic growth, fostering innovation and national income. However, a significant gap exists between male and female entrepreneurial success. Women represent only 13.57% of participation in the formal business sector, compared to 86.43% for men. Despite challenges like limited funding, networking opportunities, and societal barriers, women like Seun Alley, founder of Fez Delivery, are redefining the logistics landscape.
Seun’s entrepreneurial journey began in the banking industry in 2008. She spent 12 years working at Fidelity Bank and First Bank, gaining valuable operational expertise that would later benefit Fez Delivery. After a brief hiatus, Seun joined OPay as Director of Operations and eventually took on the role of Director of Partnerships and Government Relations, launching several successful verticals.
In 2016, Seun launched a janitorial service company. However, her janitors frequently took time off to run errands for employees at their assigned companies. To address this, Seun introduced delivery services, which became wildly successful. This experience illuminated the significant challenge of last-mile logistics for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individuals in Nigeria.
Seun’s background in banking and fintech uniquely prepared her to tackle these logistics challenges. SMEs contribute 48% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but often face hurdles due to high delivery fees and inefficient logistics services. Recognizing this gap, Seun co-founded Fez Delivery, a last-mile logistics company leveraging technology to enhance delivery efficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated Fez’s growth, with the business tripling in size that year as people sought reliable delivery solutions.
Today, Fez Delivery operates across all 36 states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), serving 14,000 individuals, SMEs, and corporations. The company has completed over 500,000 orders and boasts an 81% customer retention rate.
Fez Delivery’s Expansion and Future Plans
Fez Delivery’s success stems from its affordable shipping fees, prompt delivery, secure packaging, and stellar customer service. The company caters to individuals and businesses through its mobile and web apps, dashboards, and APIs. Its services cover all 36 states in Nigeria.
In 2023, Fez Delivery announced its $1 million seed round, led by Ventures Platform, with participation from Voltron Capital, Acasia Ventures, and other angel investors. This funding follows the startup’s acceptance into Techstars Toronto, an elite global tech accelerator.
Seun Alley plans to use the funding to enhance technology, expand the team, and deepen development efforts. Fez Delivery aims to bridge the gap between individuals and businesses, providing peace of mind when sending packages.
With the rise of online shopping, the Nigerian logistics industry is experiencing rapid growth. Fez Delivery offers customized, hybrid solutions that integrate physical touchpoints with technology. The company’s clients include notable brands such as Flutterwave, Kuda Bank, Moniepoint, OPay, Famasi Africa, and Red Bull. As it continues to focus on Nigeria’s $10 billion transport and logistics market, Fez Delivery plans to expand to other African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, starting in Q4 2024.
Fez Delivery is revolutionizing Nigeria’s logistics industry by empowering SMEs and individuals with technology-driven solutions. With impressive growth and expansion plans, the startup is poised to transform the African logistics landscape, cementing Seun Alley’s legacy as a pioneering female entrepreneur.
