Nigeria: What eCommerce Trends Have Shaped 2018 So Far?

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How Technology Could Restore Nigeria’s Gridlocked Regions To A Landlord’s Paradise

With a 60% vacancy rate in properties in Apapa, this region needs serious intervention at a government level to recoup the N1 million in rentals due to these vacant properties. Lack of infrastructure, gridlocks in ports and on highways, and a number of other issues plague the region. While Apapa may not seem like an obvious choice, thanks to the help of technology, this might just become the ideal hub for landlords looking to cash in on one of the busiest regions in Nigeria.

Safer, Tenant-Friendly Environments

With a safety rating of only 36.84%, Lagos is not a natural choice for those who wish to spread their wings and see what the big city has to offer. Those looking for property in the city will want to know that they’re safe and that their possessions are safe as well. Technological advancements that have already started popping up in and around the city include the regular CCTV footage, however, a technological intervention that will make a substantial difference is smart technology that integrates with the CCTV footage to provide inhabitants with better access control, monitoring, and warning systems.

Total Infrastructure Overhaul

By only improving the residential hubs for tenants, landlords are not really addressing the overall effect of crime in the area. Instead, it’s important to get a better understanding of not only the safety aspects but also the permanently gridlocked streets of the region. A birds-eye view offered by technology such as drones allows city planners and landlords to come up with solutions to ease up the gridlock and provide a safer city.

One of the most important hurdles to overcome, however, is bridging the gap between deciding on a route to follow and then gaining the traction to do so. Getting policies signed off and started can be a fundamentally difficult task in Nigeria, which is why it’s important to get the paperwork going as soon as possible. In 2015 a contract was given to local business to replicate Yaba’s fibre network, which will undoubtedly have a massive effect on the way Nigeria does business and life. To date, this is still waiting for a single cable to be laid.

Convenience At Their Fingertips

While job uncertainty is one of the reasons why Nigerians choose to spread their wings beyond the borders of cities like Lagos, there are other reasons too. While major cities across the world are already set up basic communication structures for smart cities, Nigeria is one of many African countries that have to rely on apps such as Facebook Express to keep in contact with friends and family. This is because internet connectivity in the country is quite low and those that have access, pay a hefty price for it. Around 60,000 Nigerians flock to other countries every year to seek a better life, where a simple technological boost locally will make a substantial difference.

While technological advancements will certainly make a difference in the way the average Nigerian does life, it will need a strong push from both government and the private sector to be successful. Regions like Apapa have tremendous potential, but require the full buy-in of the region’s inhabitants.