Joe Enobong is the CEO and founder of Parcels Mart Solutions Limited, a culmination of over two decades of progressive experience in global logistics and supply chain management. His career includes strategic leadership roles at Samsung, UPS, and DHL, where he cultivated deep expertise in international trade, business development, and operational excellence. Enobong holds a Doctorate in Toxicology and executive certifications in Global Business from Harvard Business School and Artificial Intelligence from the London Business School. He was recently inducted into the Forbes Business Council. In this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, he addressed the current challenges confronting Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain industry, offering insights into the operational hurdles and strategic imperatives facing the sector. Excerpts:
You have had a remarkable career across global giants like Samsung, UPS, and DHL. What motivated your transition from corporate leadership to founding Parcels Mart Solutions?
My experience with global powerhouses like Samsung, UPS, and DHL provided me with invaluable insights into the complexities of global logistics and supply chain networks. I was privileged to work on high-impact projects, manage cross-border operations, and understand how world-class logistics should function. But alongside that exposure came a deep frustration. I saw the recurring bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and systemic gaps in Africa’s logistics ecosystem, particularly when it came to high-value sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation, engineering, construction, agriculture, healthcare, and FMCG. These industries often struggled with unreliable freight solutions, lack of transparency, and poor last-mile execution.
I didn’t just want to keep rising in corporate ranks after holding management roles; I wanted to solve real problems. That’s what led me to establish Parcels Mart Solutions Ltd. We set out to create a company that could bridge global standards with local execution, providing integrated, intelligent logistics solutions for both oversized industrial cargo and time-sensitive express deliveries.
How has your scientific background in toxicology and clinical research influenced your leadership style in logistics and hospitality?
My background in toxicology and clinical research taught me one of the most valuable principles in leadership: precision saves lives, and in business, it saves legacies. Science trains your mind to approach problems methodically, make decisions based on evidence, and stay calm under complex, high-stakes conditions. These same qualities are indispensable in logistics and hospitality. In toxicology, every variable matters. The smallest oversight can lead to catastrophic results. That discipline of analytical thinking, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and system-level insight became the bedrock of how I lead across industries today. In logistics, especially when handling dangerous goods, perishable cargo, or aviation-critical components, that scientific mindset drives our focus on safety, compliance, and operational excellence. In hospitality, it translates into attention to detail, process optimisation, and delivering a seamless guest experience that feels intuitive, but is engineered with care behind the scenes.
My scientific foundation has also shaped how I build teams: I value data-driven execution, curiosity, and a culture of continuous improvement. Whether in managing the end-to-end supply chain for a global oil and gas client or curating personalised experiences in our hospitality ventures, the goal remains the same, designing systems that are resilient, responsive, and relentlessly focused on quality. Ultimately, science gave me a lens through which I view leadership: not as authority, but as accountability, to make decisions that create value, reduce risk, and leave no detail to chance.
What are the most pressing challenges currently facing Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain industry, and how is Parcels Mart strategically addressing these issues?
Nigeria’s logistics landscape is a paradox: rich in opportunity, yet constrained by structural inefficiencies. From inadequate infrastructure and fragmented regulatory frameworks to inconsistent customs procedures and last-mile delivery bottlenecks, the challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable.
With Nigeria’s infrastructure gaps, what innovations have you introduced to improve last-mile delivery and cross-border logistics?
Nigeria’s infrastructure gaps, ranging from underdeveloped road networks to port congestion and inconsistent border policies, have long posed a challenge to efficient logistics. But at Parcels Mart, we don’t wait for perfect conditions, we innovate within constraints to build systems that work in the real world. To strengthen last-mile delivery, we’ve developed a hybrid delivery model that combines technology, local partnerships, and decentralised fulfilment. By setting up micro-distribution hubs and integrating with trusted local agents in semi-urban and rural areas, we’ve drastically reduced delivery delays while extending our reach beyond traditional networks. We’ve also invested in AI-powered route optimisation, enabling our dispatch teams to navigate traffic, road conditions, and delivery windows with speed and precision. This has been especially impactful in congested urban centres like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, where time and timing are everything. On the cross-border front, we’ve introduced seamless DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) and DAP (Delivered at Place) solutions for regional and global shipping, making it easier for businesses to ship to and from countries across ECOWAS, Europe, Asia, and North America without the typical friction associated with customs and documentation. A game-changer for us has been our global network of logistics partners in over 180 countries, which allows us to facilitate end-to-end supply chain visibility and execute third-country shipments with ease.
Whether it’s a fashion brand in Nigeria exporting to Paris or a manufacturer importing parts from Germany, our clients enjoy borderless logistics with localised support.
How do you see the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) transforming logistics and trade across Africa, and how is Parcels Mart positioning itself in response?
AfCFTA represents a generational opportunity to unlock intra-African trade, industrialisation, and economic sovereignty. By eliminating tariffs and simplifying cross-border trade among 54 countries, it is not just a trade agreement, it’s a continental blueprint for collaboration, integration, and shared prosperity. But no trade policy can thrive without logistics. AfCFTA will only succeed if we can move goods faster, safer, and smarter across borders. That’s where logistics becomes the true infrastructure of transformation. In essence, Parcels Mart isn’t just reacting to AfCFTA, we are helping operationalise it. By building logistics pathways where there were none, and digitising trade flows across fragmented borders, we’re positioning ourselves as a strategic logistics partner for Africa’s next growth phase.
What role does technology, particularly AI and data analytics, play in driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction in your company?
Technology is no longer a support function in logistics, it is the core engine of performance, precision, and scale. At Parcels Mart, we’ve embedded AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics at the heart of our operations because we understand that in today’s fast-moving supply chains, data is the new fuel, and intelligence is the new infrastructure. From route optimisation to capacity planning and customs forecasting, AI helps us reduce delivery times, lower operational costs, and increase delivery reliability across regions. For instance, our systems can now predict shipment delays before they happen and automatically reroute based on traffic, weather, or clearance issues, minimising disruption and maximising service continuity. On the customer-facing side, we use real-time tracking, rate comparison engines, and automated service updates to keep clients informed and empowered throughout the shipping process. Whether they’re an SME shipping lightweight packages or a multinational moving oversized cargo, we provide a seamless, transparent, and intelligent user experience.
But beyond logistics execution, technology enables us to anticipate customer needs. Through deep analytics, we gain insights into shipment behaviours, peak periods, preferred delivery patterns, and regional challenges, allowing us to tailor solutions, launch predictive services, and offer customised pricing for loyal clients.
We also leverage AI to improve compliance in high-risk sectors such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, aviation, and chemicals, where regulatory oversight is stringent. Our digital documentation systems and automated customs intelligence ensure shipments are cleared accurately and swiftly, even in complex jurisdictions. Ultimately, the role of technology at Parcels Mart is transformational. It enables us to scale without sacrificing service, to solve problems before they reach the customer, and to deliver not just goods, but confidence, clarity, and control. We’re not just moving parcels; we’re moving intelligence through infrastructure.
You have investments across hospitality, fashion, education, healthcare, real estate, and agriculture. How do you balance the operational complexities of such diverse industries?
Balancing such a wide spectrum of industries isn’t about doing everything personally, it’s about building structures that scale, leadership that empowers, and systems that sustain impact. I see myself not as a manager of businesses, but as a designer of ecosystems. Each industry I’m involved in, whether hospitality, fashion, education, healthcare, real estate, or agriculture, solves a unique problem and serves a distinct market. Yet, they all share a common foundation: the need for efficiency, innovation, and deep human understanding. I approach every venture through three lenses: purpose, process, and people.
My scientific and logistics background gives me a unique advantage. It teaches you to optimise flows, anticipate variables, and build responsive systems. Whether it’s managing a patient journey in healthcare, a guest experience in hospitality, a curriculum pipeline in education, or a crop yield in agriculture, my mindset is rooted in precision, scalability, and strategic execution. In real estate, that means optimising asset use and lifecycle management. In agriculture, it means deploying smart farming, logistics-supported distribution, and sustainable resource planning. I don’t micromanage operations,I architect the framework, appoint capable leadership, implement data-driven KPIs, and ensure that each business aligns with a long-term value creation strategy. Technology is a critical enabler. We use integrated digital platforms, AI-driven insights, and real-time performance dashboards to make informed decisions across the portfolio, creating synergy rather than silos.
Ultimately, I believe that diversification is not a distraction when it’s mission-driven. Each of these ventures speaks to a different side of Africa’s potential, whether it’s healing, feeding, educating, housing, clothing, or welcoming. My role is to connect the dots, unlock value, and build enduring platforms that uplift both people and systems.
In what ways does your logistics expertise give you a competitive edge in managing hospitality and real estate ventures?
Logistics teaches you how to move resources efficiently, manage complexity, and deliver value on time, principles that translate seamlessly into both hospitality and real estate. In hospitality, my logistics background helps optimise guest experiences, supply chain efficiency, and operational flow. In real estate, it allows me to manage construction timelines, vendor coordination, and facility operations with precision.
Ultimately, logistics gives me a systems-thinking advantage, ensuring that every part of the value chain, from planning to execution, works in harmony.
How are you leveraging supply chain strategies to optimise service delivery and guest experience in your hospitality ventures?
I apply supply chain principles to hospitality the same way I do in logistics, anticipate needs, eliminate delays, and deliver consistency. From procurement to check-out, every guest touchpoint is part of a well-orchestrated flow. By optimising backend operations, we create space to deliver effortless luxury, personalised service, and memorable experiences. In hospitality, like in logistics, excellence is not an accident, it’s engineered.
Sustainability is a growing concern in global logistics. How is Parcels Mart integrating green logistics or ESG principles into its operations?
At Parcels Mart, sustainability is embedded in both our strategy and our soul. As Africa rises to meet global standards, we believe logistics must evolve, not just to move goods efficiently, but to create enduring social, environmental, and economic impact. Our commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is reflected in our Go Green Initiative, which includes: AI-powered route optimisation to reduce fuel emissions
Paperless operations through full digital documentation and invoicing; Eco-packaging solutions to cut down on waste; Carbon-conscious delivery networks leveraging hybrid and electric mobility, and partnerships with sustainable logistics providers. These innovations have led to significant cost savings, which we’ve reinvested into our CSR programs, because at Parcels Mart, sustainability must translate into community transformation.
At Parcels Mart, our CSR efforts focus on empowering underserved communities through education, health, and inclusion. We offer a 10-year scholarship, reward top graduates, promote menstrual hygiene, and run medical outreaches and back-to-school drives. We also help offset critical medical bills. In partnership with the Rivers State Government, our recent Project 48:480 in Aminigboko impacted over 480 people through free NIN registration, health screenings, deworming, menstrual education, and targeted youth and women empowerment. For us, sustainability means reinvesting in people not just delivering packages, but delivering progress, equity, and hope.
With Africa’s young workforce, what is your approach to building and nurturing talent in the logistics and hospitality sectors?
Africa’s young population is one of the continent’s greatest assets, and at Parcels Mart, we’re committed to turning that demographic advantage into global leadership capacity. Our approach to talent development is multi-layered: we combine hands-on operational exposure, structured mentorship, and global-standard training to prepare young professionals not just for jobs, but for industry leadership. We offer continuous capacity-building programs focused on logistics intelligence, supply chain technology, hospitality innovation, and customer experience strategy. In addition, we invest in international training and development partnerships, equipping our team with the knowledge, certifications, and competencies required to compete and lead on global stages.
We’re equally proud to be a women-forward company, with over 62.5 percent of our workforce being women, and more than 50 percent holding senior and management positions. We actively break gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries, fostering inclusive leadership and empowering women to rise confidently in logistics and hospitality. Ultimately, our goal is to build a workforce that is intelligent, ethical, resilient, and globally relevant, because the future of Africa’s economy will be driven by the people we invest in today. You’ve been inducted into the Forbes Business Council and the DHL Hall of Fame, among others.
What do these recognitions mean to you, and what do they say about the evolution of Africa’s logistics sector?
These recognitions, whether my induction into the Forbes Business Council, the DHL Hall of Fame, or winning the Gold Stevie Award for Sales & Customer Service on the global stage are incredibly humbling. But for me, they are not just trophies; they are reminders.
Reminders of the hard work, thought leadership, and exceptional revenue growth we’ve achieved at Parcels Mart. Reminders of late nights, bold decisions, and the pursuit of excellence in a continent often underestimated. They represent not just personal achievement, but the emergence of Africa as a serious contender in global logistics innovation.
Each award, whether for innovation, customer experience, branding, or leadership, is a reflection of the vision, team, and systems we’ve built. And there have been many. But I wear them not as decorations, but as milestones on a journey still in motion. More importantly, these accolades speak volumes about the evolution of Africa’s logistics sector. The world is beginning to recognise that Africa is no longer catching up, we’re creating new models. We’re blending technology with terrain intelligence, global standards with local execution, and resilience with creativity.The global stage is no longer reserved for others, we’re now writing Africa’s chapter in the story of global trade, and I’m honoured to be one of its authors.
How can Nigerian logistics entrepreneurs position themselves for global relevance and leadership in an increasingly competitive ecosystem?
To compete globally, Nigerian logistics entrepreneurs must first compete with themselves, by raising their standards, deepening their knowledge, and thinking beyond borders. Global relevance begins with building credibility at home, delivering with consistency, embracing compliance, and investing in technology and people. But to lead on the world stage, we must move from being service providers to being solution architects, offering not just speed, but intelligence; not just volume, but value. Entrepreneurs need to leverage data, adopt digital tools, and study international best practices, while also tailoring solutions to fit the African context. Certifications, cross-border partnerships, and a strong understanding of global trade policy, like AfCFTA, will be critical differentiators. Most importantly, we must lead with vision, not just ambition. The world respects operators who are innovative, ethical, and scalable. Nigerian entrepreneurs must rise above survival thinking and build brands that can solve global problems from African soil. At Parcels Mart, we didn’t wait for the global stage to invite us, we built a platform that demanded a seat at the table. That’s the mindset every logistics entrepreneur must embrace: Don’t just move goods, move ideas, move systems, move futures.
