Starting mini importation in Edo State

Mini importation in Edo

Edo's economy mixes crude oil, limestone and other minerals, with a cement factory at Okpella. Benin City, one of Nigeria's largest cities and the centre of its rubber industry, is the main market for most sellers, while towns such as Uromi, Ekpoma and Auchi keep their own customer bases. For an importer, the steadiest buyers are city households around Oba Market and the student populations spread across the state's universities and its polytechnic.

Students are the clearest audience. The University of Benin and Benson Idahosa University are in Benin City, Ambrose Alli University is in Ekpoma, Igbinedion University is in Okada and Auchi Polytechnic is in Auchi. A seller who builds a following in campus WhatsApp groups can test small batches with pre-orders. In the city, Oba Market, with more than 5,000 tenants on about 20 acres, sets the benchmark for food, clothing, fabrics, beads, jewellery and electronics, so imported items should offer something those stalls do not.

Edo sits where major roads meet. The A2 runs through Benin City from Warri to Okene, and Trans-African Highway 8 heads west toward Ondo and east toward Agbor and Asaba. That works both ways: goods reach Benin City by road, and so do other traders' goods. Sellers who post clear photos, honest landed prices and delivery options to Ekpoma, Auchi or Okada can reach buyers who do not want a trip to Ring Road.

Where to sell in Edo

Products worth testing in Edo

• Phone and laptop accessories: Edo has universities and a polytechnic in Benin City, Ekpoma, Okada and Auchi, so chargers, earbuds and laptop stands are worth testing with students.
• Bead and jewellery-making supplies: Oba Market is known for traditional beads and jewellery, so craft supplies and findings for local makers are worth testing.
• Tailoring tools and fabric accessories: Fabrics are a staple at Oba Market, so scissors, measuring tools and sewing accessories for tailors are worth testing.
• Hostel and room essentials: Students in Ekpoma, Auchi and Okada live away from Benin City's markets, so small room items sold on pre-order are worth testing.

Before you order stock, run the numbers in the free product checker and test demand with pre-orders.

Getting imported goods to Edo

Benin Airport is domestic, with flights to Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, so imported goods usually arrive by road from wherever your shipping agent clears them. The nearest NPA port complex is Delta Ports in Warri, reached on the A2 Benin-Warri road. Ask your agent where your cargo will clear and include the road trip to Benin City in your landed cost.

Within Edo, GIG Logistics has five Benin City service centres plus outlets in Ekpoma and Auchi. The Warri-Itakpe standard-gauge railway also passes through the state, with Igueben-Ekekhen named on the line.

Frequently asked questions