Prioritize warehouse footprint and layout (racking, clear height), automation level (WMS/WCS), throughput metrics (orders/hour, pick accuracy), cross-dock and staging capacity, cold-chain availability if required, and integrated carrier connectivity for SLA adherence.

Lower land and labor costs in Plateau State can reduce fixed operating expense and per-pick labor rates, but evaluate total landed cost including transport to major demand centers, inbound cross-dock fees, and variability in seasonal labor availability before finalizing site or partner choices.

Assess primary road artery reliability and seasonal performance, proximity to major feeder routes to Abuja and central markets, availability of regional carrier networks for LTL and parcel, and 3PL capability for multi-modal handoffs and optimized zone skipping to cut transit times and cost.

Negotiate clear SLAs (OTD, pick accuracy, damage rates), inventory liability and insurance terms, pricing transparency for throughput and storage, minimum term/termination clauses tied to performance, and defined change-order processes for scaling capacity and introducing value-added services.