Selling imported goods in Borno: where to start
Mini importation in Borno centres on Maiduguri. Monday Market there is the largest market in the state, and it serves traders from Chad, Niger and Cameroon as well as local buyers. Sellers order small batches from China, collect their parcels at the GIG office on Jos Road, and sell through WhatsApp to students and traders. Import2Sales turns supplier links into WhatsApp sales pages for sellers in Borno.
- Main commercial cities
- Maiduguri, Biu
- Major trade market
- Monday Market, Maiduguri
- Nearest airport
- Maiduguri International (listed as domestic)
- Courier office
- GIG Logistics, Jos Road, Maiduguri (office pickup)
- Borders
- Cameroon, Niger and Chad
Updated · By the Import2Sales team
Mini importation in Borno
Borno is the only Nigerian state that borders three countries, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, which makes Maiduguri a cross-border trade point. Before the Boko Haram insurgency, the rural economy relied heavily on livestock and crops. The state's estimated 2021 per-capita GDP of $1,823 ranked 33rd of 36, so price matters, and working out your landed cost properly counts for more here than stocking flashy items. Kanuri, Shuwa Arabic and Hausa are all widely spoken, so captions in Kanuri or Hausa can widen your reach.
Monday Market is the place to start. It had about 20,000 shops before a February 2023 fire destroyed about 13,000 of them, and it remains the largest market in Maiduguri and Borno. Its traders are possible bulk buyers for small goods that sell quickly. Students at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State University and Al-Ansar University can be reached through WhatsApp Status and hostel groups. Outside the capital, Biu has the Nigerian Army University and Monguno has a federal polytechnic, so a handful of customers in each town can add up to a combined order worth sending.
The biggest practical issue is collection. Maiduguri is not on GIG Logistics' doorstep-delivery list, so plan to pick parcels up at the office and arrange your own delivery to buyers. Maiduguri International Airport is listed among domestic airports despite its name, so imports reach you by courier after being cleared elsewhere. Include that last leg in your price, and take pre-orders so your cash is not tied up while goods make the long trip to Maiduguri.
Where to sell in Borno
Maiduguri
The capital is a regional trade and service centre and home to Monday Market, which also serves traders from Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Its three universities, the University of Maiduguri, Borno State University and Al-Ansar University, give it a student market. The GIG office is at 10A Golden Plaza, opposite Elkanemi College of Islamic Theology, Jos Road, and because the city is not on GIG's doorstep list, sellers collect their parcels there.
Biu
Biu is the main town in southern Borno and home of the Nigerian Army University. Its students and staff are a clear customer group, so personal-care, study and phone items are worth testing. Since even Maiduguri lacks GIG doorstep delivery, agree how goods will move from the capital to Biu before you take payment, and group orders together to keep trips worthwhile.
Monguno
Monguno, in the north of the state, is home to Federal Polytechnic Monguno. It is a smaller market, so treat it as an add-on to your Maiduguri sales. Take pre-orders from polytechnic students and staff on WhatsApp, combine them with your Maiduguri orders, and send them once there are enough to justify the trip north.
Products worth testing in Borno
- Shop display racks, price tags and organisers: Worth testing with Monday Market traders, many of whom had to restock and refit after the February 2023 fire.
- Compact, easy-to-carry items such as watches and phone cases: Worth testing with cross-border traders from Chad, Niger and Cameroon who buy in Maiduguri.
- Phone accessories and earbuds: Worth testing with students at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State University and Al-Ansar University.
- Torches, study lamps and personal-care kits: Worth testing with students and staff at the Nigerian Army University in Biu.
Before you order stock, run the numbers in the free product checker and test demand with pre-orders.
Getting imported goods to Borno
Borno has no seaport. Maiduguri International Airport is listed among domestic airports, with Azman Air flying to Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Yola, and Max Air flying to Abuja. In practice, your shipping agent clears your goods elsewhere and a courier then brings them to Maiduguri.
GIG Logistics' Maiduguri office is at 10A Golden Plaza, opposite Elkanemi College of Islamic Theology, Jos Road. Maiduguri is not on GIG's doorstep-delivery list, so plan to collect parcels there. Federal highways A3, A4 and A13 pass through the state, and Maiduguri is the end of the Eastern Line railway from Bauchi. Ask your courier which route they use and how long it usually takes before you promise buyers a date.
How Import2Sales helps sellers in Borno
- Paste your AliExpress, 1688, Temu or Alibaba product link.
- AI writes the headline, benefits and FAQ; set your naira price and WhatsApp number.
- Share one link on WhatsApp Status, groups and Instagram — buyers tap “Order on WhatsApp”.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell imported goods to traders from Chad, Niger and Cameroon?
Many of them already buy in Maiduguri. Monday Market serves traders from all three countries, so small goods that are easy to carry and resell are worth offering to them. Share a clear WhatsApp catalogue with wholesale prices, agree on quantities in chat, and have them collect in Maiduguri. That way you avoid handling cross-border delivery yourself.
Will couriers deliver to my door in Maiduguri?
Not through GIG's doorstep service, based on its current city list. Maiduguri is not on GIG Logistics' doorstep-delivery list, so plan to collect parcels at the office at 10A Golden Plaza on Jos Road. After that, deliver to buyers yourself or use a local dispatch rider, and include that cost in your price.
How do I handle payment on delivery in Borno?
Confirm every order in chat before you send anything. Agree on the item, price and meeting point, then collect payment when you hand it over. Import2Sales gives each product a sales page with an 'Order on WhatsApp' button, so buyers message you directly with the product already named. That makes it easier to confirm pre-orders and payment on delivery.
Is Monday Market still a good place to find buyers after the 2023 fire?
It is still described as the largest market in Maiduguri and Borno, even though the February 2023 fire destroyed about 13,000 of its roughly 20,000 shops. Traders who lost stock may be open to new product lines and shop fittings. Visit in person, show samples, and start with small wholesale orders until you know who pays reliably.