Chinese e-commerce giant Temu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DHL Group to strengthen its operations in Nigeria and other key global markets. The move is a strategic step toward enhancing Temu’s logistics capabilities and expanding its footprint in one of Africa’s fastest-growing e-commerce sectors.
Temu, which launched in Nigeria in 2024, has entered a competitive space currently dominated by local players like Jumia and Konga, as well as global names like Aliexpress. With Nigeria’s e-commerce market projected to grow from $8.53 billion in 2024 to $14.92 billion by 2029, Temu is seeking to stand out through faster delivery times and targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“This letter of intent marks a significant step in our partnership with DHL Group,” said Qin Sun, co-founder of Temu. “Its extensive network and logistics capabilities will help support our mission to increase consumer access to affordable products and help increase growth opportunities for sellers.”
Unlike traditional Chinese e-commerce platforms that often deliver in 15 to 30 days, Temu promises faster shipping—between 7 to 15 days—a significant draw for Nigerian consumers increasingly shifting toward online shopping, supported by the country’s nearly 50% broadband penetration.
Under the new MOU, DHL will leverage its logistics divisions to offer services including air freight and last-mile delivery, streamlining Temu’s order fulfillment both in Nigeria and across Europe. DHL will also support Temu’s local-to-local model, which allows regional merchants to sell directly to customers through the platform.
“This partnership reflects our shared vision for enabling global commerce and supporting emerging markets,” said Katja Busch, CCO and head of DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation. “Through our various DHL divisions, we are already providing a wide range of logistics services and solutions.”
As the Nigerian e-commerce space evolves, Temu’s collaboration with DHL positions it as a serious contender aiming not only to deliver competitively priced products but also to empower local SMEs with broader market access and improved logistics support.
