Evaluate location relative to major corridors and customers, warehouse footprint and racking, transport provider connectivity, WMS/API integration, SLA performance (OTD, pick accuracy), value-added services (kitting, cold chain), labor skillsets, and transparent costing models that align with SKU velocity and margin targets.

Being ~90–100 km from Kigali reduces inbound air-to-warehouse lead times and lowers first-mile road costs. Close access to border routes shortens cross-border drayage and simplifies consolidation for exports, which together can lower landed fulfillment costs and improve delivery predictability.

Insist on a modern WMS with real-time inventory, API or EDI for order sync, automated ASN and billing, dashboard reporting for SLA and inventory KPIs, and support for returns and multi-channel order routing. These capabilities reduce manual touchpoints and improve order-to-delivery visibility.

Major cost drivers include storage density and duration, pick-and-pack labor, inbound/outbound transport, customs and handling, and seasonal demand swings. Control costs by optimizing SKU assortment and slotting, negotiating batched inbound schedules, using zone-skipping for parcel flows, and monitoring inventory velocity to reduce dwell time.