Prioritize measurable KPIs and infrastructure: lead times to key markets, dock and handling capacity, inventory accuracy, IT integration (WMS/API), and carrier partnerships. Also evaluate cost-to-serve per channel, value‑add capabilities (kitting, returns), and scalability of storage and labor.

Transit advantages include shorter inland legs to Sahel and neighboring regions, which lowers landed transit cost and improves delivery predictability. Strong local carrier networks enable scheduled LTL and full‑truckload consolidation, reducing variability and supporting reliable replenishment cycles.

Key cost drivers are land‑transport rates, storage density (cost per pallet or cubic meter), pick‑and-pack labor rates, IT/integration fees, and minimums or throughput penalties. Include landed cost modeling and cost‑to‑serve analysis by SKU and channel to compare proposals.

Mitigate risks by confirming customs execution capabilities, contingency carrier routings, SLA-backed transit windows, insurance and claims procedures, and redundancy for critical SKUs. Define KPIs for fill rate, on‑time dispatch, and returns handling to monitor performance post-onboarding.