Nigerian startup Shipbubble is designed to empower e-commerce businesses of all sizes by connecting them with a diverse network of delivery partners, and it has seen significant traction in a short period of time.
Founded in 2022, Shipbubble helps merchants automate the entire delivery process, from order tracking to last-mile delivery, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of goods. It allows e-commerce businesses to easily manage their shipping operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
“Basically, we are building a robust, tailored network of delivery providers specifically designed to meet the unique needs of African retailers,” co-founder and CEO Jordan Ajibola told Disrupt Africa.
“Our goal is to streamline and standardise the logistics process, ensuring that businesses can offer seamless, reliable delivery experiences while maintaining exceptional value across all product categories.”
Aside from automating the delivery process, Shipbubble also provides standardised communication tools that enable businesses to effectively manage customer expectations, fostering trust and satisfaction. It integrates with multiple sales channels, such as Bumpa, Shopify, and WooCommerce, creating an omnichannel platform that simplifies and unifies business operations.
The story of Shipbubble’s formation is rooted in Ajibola’s own experiences during a brief stint working at Amazon Logistics.
“I was captivated by the power of technology in transforming logistics operations. I witnessed firsthand how Amazon’s sophisticated systems seamlessly coordinated deliveries, leaving a lasting impression on him. Although I didn’t realise it at the time, this exposure planted the seeds of an idea that would later evolve into something transformative,” he said.
Upon returning to Nigeria, Ajibola was struck by the stark contrast in the logistics landscape compared to what he had seen at Amazon. The inefficiencies and challenges faced by African businesses were glaring, and Jordan envisioned a better way – an efficient, tech-driven system that could match the sophistication of Amazon’s operations. Alongside co-founder Ayodeji Abon, he set out to build just that.
“We set out to build a platform that could unify and streamline logistics across Nigeria, but with a crucial distinction that Shipbubble would not be a logistics or delivery service itself,” Ajibola said. “Instead, it would serve as an aggregator, connecting businesses with a wide array of delivery partners and empowering them to manage their logistics operations efficiently.”
It has seen a strong response.
“Uptake for Shipbubble has been promising, reflecting our growing impact in the market. We have been growing quickly, and as of now, we are proudly serving over 6,000 users across a diverse range of industries, including beauty, health, skincare, fashion, and more,” Ajibola said.
“Our growth trajectory is strong – in the first quarter of 2024 alone, we doubled the number of shipments we handled throughout the entire year of 2023. Additionally, we are currently serving some marketplaces, further solidifying our presence in the e-commerce ecosystem.”
The startup has secured funding from StartupWise Guys and Microtraction, and has expansion in mind.
“We are looking to extend our reach across other African markets in the near future. We have some interesting prospects already that we are currently working towards,” Ajibola said.
Shipbubble generates revenue through subscription plans offered to businesses that use its platform to manage their logistics operations.
“These subscription plans provide access to our aggregation services and various features tailored to enhance logistics efficiency. Additionally, we benefit from negotiated rates and discounts with logistics companies, which allows us to pass on cost savings to our users while maintaining a profitable margin,” he said.
