Assess road and rail links to Mombasa and Nairobi, proximity to port terminals, availability of cross-dock and bonded facilities, local carrier networks for last-mile delivery, and intermodal handling capacity. Confirm regular carrier schedules and the 3PL’s partnerships with regional freight providers.

Compare landed transport costs, inventory carrying rates, storage density, and pick/pack labor productivity against gains in transit time and delivery reliability. Use SKU-level cost-to-serve models, factoring freight tiers, zone-skipping opportunities, and seasonal variability to select the most economical footprint.

Require WMS with real-time inventory, API/EDI connectivity to your OMS, order visibility, and batch/slotting controls. Monitor KPIs like order accuracy, on-time fulfillment, inventory accuracy, pick-and-pack cycle time, and return processing speed to validate operational alignment.

Plan for seasonal labor ramp-up, temporary storage needs, surge pick/pack capacity, contingency transport routes, and slotting strategies for fast movers. Validate the 3PL’s peak staffing, equipment availability, and surge SOPs, plus any contractual flexibility on throughput and storage.

Yes—many Voi 3PLs support cross-border distribution but you must confirm experience with regional customs regimes, transit documentation, bonded warehousing, and freight consolidation. Verify the 3PL’s capabilities in export compliance, transit permits, and carrier selection for neighbouring markets.