Kwikpik Solves Key Problems in Logistics
5 min read
As noted in earlier parts, there are specific issues prevalent in Africa and the Middle East that make the Kwikpik value proposition a compelling one.
The logistics landscape, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, is plagued with the following issues:
Outdated and inadequate technology
Theft, missing, and damaged goods
Inefficient, excessively manual processes
Lack of reliable track and trace functionality
High delivery costs
Inadequate payment and financial systems
Poor addressing systems
Kwikpik is designed to address these issues. Let's elaborate:
1. Outdated and Inadequate Technology
Current delivery and logistics systems lack the technology to be able to modernize and change with the times to ensure that they are providing the best service to their customers.
When it comes to technology, those companies cannot compete with their more tech-savvy competitors that possess far more effective delivery delay mitigation technology due to their ability to change with the times.
2. Theft, Missing, and Damaged Goods
There are many riders handling goods in transit on behalf of logistics companies, and only one of them needs to have ulterior motives for theft to become a big issue. In the current supply chain, it’s very easy for someone to sign a form saying they’ve handed over 100 boxes, whereas the real number was only 99 as they kept one themselves.
For manufacturers or companies, it is very difficult to figure out where theft may have occurred as information about the delivery of their goods is usually only available days or weeks after (most of) their products have already arrived at their end destination.
It is always a cause for frustration to not know where your package is. Whether it has been misplaced or the despatch label has been damaged, there is no excuse for lost or missing packages. There have been several cases of loss and damage of goods and packages in the process of delivery. Customers most often complain of their packages being damaged or missing after paying so much to get them delivered. You can imagine the look on their faces.
3. Inefficient, Excessively Manual Processes
Manual processes are carried out at each handover. Paperwork must be completed and signed, or barcodes must be manually scanned. This data must then be returned to the original manufacturer. This information frequently does not make its way back to the manufacturer for days or weeks, resulting in significant delays and additional hours spent consolidating this data.
These inefficiencies result in slow fulfillment, delivery delays, and low reliability.
4. Lack of Reliable Track and Trace Functionality
Each year, the use of logistics systems rises in popularity as a result of the expansion of internet usage. Many items that are purchased online are shipped from abroad, and delivery times can vary.
The end user wants to be informed or to be able to follow the delivery of their goods, but precise data is just not available. Customers have also complained about not being able to receive information and updates on deliveries, which makes it difficult for most people to receive their packages efficiently.
5. High Delivery Costs
One of the most cited problems in delivery services offered by logistics companies in Africa is cost. We’ve heard a lot of people say, “I want to send the package but the cost of sending is just too expensive”.
We have seen people try to find alternatives like delaying packages till they have people willing to take it on their behalf, we have even seen people change their minds and cancel their initial proposal of sending packages due to the cost of delivery.
6. Inadequate Payment and Financial Systems
Another issue for e-commerce and logistics is the payment system. There is still no trust in online payment, and due to previous bad experiences, several people prefer to pay cash upon delivery.
While some developed world is primarily indoctrinated into a digital payment ethos, cash payment still reigns supreme in Middle Eastern Nations. Payment with a card or internet remains exclusive as the cost of operating them could be prohibitive while cybersecurity risks remain high.
7. Poor Addressing Systems
It is difficult to ensure that a customer receives their order without complaints. The logistics and delivery services space holds the key to solving this problem, but several issues make their services difficult.
For one thing, Nigeria's street naming and house numbering systems continue to fall short. Even in major cities like Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Abuja, some streets are difficult to locate, and even when they are located, houses are not always numbered. Also, when you look at the ultra-modern landscape of a city like Dubai, it’s hard to believe the difficulties dispatch riders are up against when trying to deliver goods to customers.
The Solution is Kwikpik
Kwikpik will provide sustainable solutions to these challenges. Kwikpik is a startup logistics aggregator that leverages web3 technology to provide excellence in delivery services to the African and Middle Eastern supply chain industries.
A key differentiator between Kwikpik and other delivery companies is that Kwikpik gives users the option to choose which logistics or delivery service best fits their needs. The goal is to make it as simple as possible for users to ship their items as quickly, economically, securely, and conveniently as possible.
Kwikpik is passionate about providing seamless and efficient service to customers. We are also committed to solving the problems that face traditional logistics service providers.
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