We connect Nigerian producers with reliable Russian buyers, technologies, and global opportunities

What the customer came with
A young coffee brand based in Abuja was roasting beans on local equipment and selling coffee in ziploc bags through small stores and subscriptions. The quality of the beans and roasting was excellent, but the packaging was hindering growth.

The main problems:

• Manual packaging - long, unstable, expensive
• Indoor humidity → flavor sags, loses aroma
• Difficulties with warehousing and logistics
• The brand could not enter B2B: retailers and hotels demanded industrial packaging with dating, sealing and weight control

The company wanted to move upmarket - selling to supermarkets, exporting to neighboring countries and producing a line of “cappuccino in sachets.”

But:

• The team had no experience with industrial equipment
• They didn't know what equipment to choose or where to buy it
• There were concerns about delivery, service and employee training
• Didn't have the lawyers needed to handle the transaction

How we solved the problem
Selecting and completing the equipment
We analyzed the client's production processes, their packaging format and climatic features (high humidity). Based on this we selected:

• automatic vertical packaging machine with a dater and gas medium function
• weight dispenser with an accuracy of ± 1 g
• compressor and consumables
• sealed materials for coffee packaging

The equipment is turnkey - without unnecessary functionality, but with expansion potential.

Logistics and delivery
We organized sea delivery to the port of Onne with subsequent delivery to Abuja. The container took 24 days to arrive and passed customs without delay: we prepared documentation, checked certification and coordinated with local authorities in advance.

Recruitment and training
We recruited two operators and a technologist through our local network in Nigeria. We provided training and set up technical support in English.

Legal support
We registered a legal entity in Nigeria for the client and opened a current account so they could accept payment from Nigerian partners and conduct official business locally.

Results

• Equipment installed, production running in 2 shifts
• Launch of a new range of packaging: 150g coffees with dating and logo
• Contract signed with a supermarket chain in Abuja
• Losses from scrap and over-packaging reduced by 34%
• Cost of packaging almost halved
• The brand is now looking at supplying Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire

Customer Review
“We had good coffee before, but we could not pack it properly. Because of the moisture, the flavor was lost, the weight was different, the film was torn or sealed badly. We were rejected by stores because it 'looked unprofessional'.

We had no idea what equipment we needed, how much it cost, how to deliver it and who would work with it. We're not IT people, we're not engineers - we just roast coffee.

But the team took it all on. At first, we didn't believe that we could really get everything done so quickly. But in 6 weeks we had new equipment, trained guys and the first boxes of finished products.

Now we feel like a real production facility, not an artisanal roaster. And honestly - we would never have done it alone.”

What the client came with
The company sold natural tea and spices through an online store and small retail. Their flagship product was carcade. They had previously procured the product through intermediaries and faced the same problems each time:

The main problems:

• Unstable quality - the color, flavor and fraction of the raw material varied from batch to batch
• No transparency - it is impossible to trace the origin of the goods
• High purchase price - each intermediary added its own markup
• No guarantee of supply - suppliers could “disappear”, deadlines were missed

The manager wanted to completely switch to direct import from the country of origin, but:

• didn't know how to find a trusted supplier in Nigeria,
• did not want to take risks - he had heard many stories about scams, fraudsters, problems at the border,
• he had no experience in processing international shipments.

How we solved the problem
Phase 1: On-site supplier verification
We engaged local staff in Lagos and traveled to the production site. We conducted an audit: we assessed volumes, drying conditions, cleaning and storage standards, and requested certificates of compliance with quality standards. The supplier confirmed the stability of shipments and agreed to videotape the batch.

Stage 2: Secure transaction under our support
So that the client did not have to go through the nuances of foreign economic activity, we conducted the transaction through our company. The client bought the goods directly from us, with Russian documents and payment in rubles.

Stage 3: Shipping, insurance and logistics
We organized sea transportation to the port and further delivery by rail to Moscow. The container was tracked by GPS, cargo insurance was arranged for the whole route.

Stage 4: Certification and formalization
We prepared a package of documents, certified the goods as food products, passed all the necessary checks at customs. The client received the product fully ready for realization.

Results

• Delivered 12.5 tons of selected carcade (premium quality whole hibiscus flower) directly from a Nigerian farm
• Cost of production reduced by 27% by eliminating middlemen
• Quality stabilized: large petal, rich color, stable aroma
• Regular supply channel established - the next batch is on its way
• The client avoided legal and logistical risks - everything was realized on a turnkey basis

Customer testimonial
“I had been thinking about switching to direct import for over a year, but I was afraid. Nigeria is something distant and incomprehensible. Where to look for suppliers, how to work with them, what to do with documents - I had no idea.

The team did everything on a turnkey basis: they found a farm, checked it, brought samples, organized delivery and even certification. I simply paid the invoice and received the goods in Moscow. No headaches at all.

Now we have stable raw materials, beautiful packaging and a product story to tell our customers: “This is natural African carcade, from a particular farm in Lagos”. People appreciate that.

And most importantly, I have peace of mind. I know that the next shipment is coming, and it's being driven by a team that understands how the market works in Africa.”

Nigeria is a major importer of food, including grain for the milling industry.

With long-term contracts in place, the largest milling companies in Nigeria are often interested in spot contracts as demand in the domestic market is subject to fluctuations. Given our good connections with Nigerian companies, we have the opportunity to respond quickly to emerging requests and promptly offer spot batches of grains from the CIS.

We fully took on negotiations and contracting, supply supervision, and operational resolution of all emerging issues related to financial logistics and transportation organization:

• The Nigerian client promptly received 30,000 metric tons of hard wheat on a CIF Apapa basis.
• The Russian producer received a practically risk-free financial scheme and the opportunity for long-term operations in a promising market without additional costs and risks.

We continue to operate in the field of grain supply to West Africa.