By Peace Udugba
Nigeria’s digital commerce market is expanding rapidly, but the next major challenge may be less about getting Nigerians online and more about getting their purchases to them efficiently.
With 154.35 million active internet subscriptions on mobile networks recorded by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in April 2026, the potential customer base for online commerce is significant. However, rising transportation costs are making the final leg of e-commerce increasingly expensive for both consumers and businesses.
The pressure is evident in transport fares. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the average fare for bus journeys within Nigerian cities rose to N1,431.25 in May 2026, representing a 38.63 per cent increase from N1,032.46 recorded in May 2025.
Okada fares recorded an even sharper increase, rising by 52.45 per cent year-on-year to N1,072.51.
For merchants, particularly small businesses selling through social media platforms, delivery costs are often excluded from the advertised price and can significantly affect the profitability of individual orders.
ChamsAccess, a Nigerian technology company, believes part of the solution lies in integrating commerce and logistics rather than treating delivery as a separate service.
The company recently launched MarketRide, a digital commerce ecosystem comprising MarketRide User for consumers, MarketRide Merchant for businesses and MarketRide Go for deliveries.
The platform covers everyday categories, including food, groceries, fashion, electronics and beauty products. It also provides features such as order tracking, OTP verification and delivery protection.
Its logistics arm operates a multi-order delivery model that allows riders to serve several customers within the same area during a single trip. According to ChamsAccess, the approach is designed to reduce unnecessary trips and fuel consumption while improving earning opportunities for riders.
GPS tracking, rider training, branded equipment and faster payment settlement are also part of the logistics service.
MarketRide Merchant is designed to address another major challenge facing small online sellers: managing orders and deliveries as their businesses grow.
The platform provides merchants with automated rider dispatch, sales monitoring and customer insights. ChamsAccess said commissions will range from five to 15 per cent, depending on the category and service.
MarketRide’s consumer, merchant and delivery services are available through the web, Android and iOS platforms.
The real test, however, will come after the launch. MarketRide will need to attract enough consumers, merchants and riders to create the level of network density required for its integrated model to operate efficiently.
The Chief Executive Officer of ChamsAccess, Olayemi Odufeso, said Nigeria has no shortage of entrepreneurs, riders or consumers willing to embrace digital commerce, but lacks systems capable of connecting them efficiently.
“We built MarketRide to close that gap,” Odufeso said.
He added that the company plans to expand MarketRide beyond Lagos into other major Nigerian urban centres.
For a market where internet access is growing while the cost of moving goods continues to rise, the platform’s success could ultimately depend on whether better coordination can reduce delivery costs and make online commerce more sustainable for consumers, merchants and riders.
