US-based logistics technology company Pigee has agreed to acquire a controlling 55 percent stake in Nigerian logistics startup ShipAfrica. The transaction will be completed in three stages over an 18-month period and will be financed through a combination of cash and equity, although the total deal value has not been disclosed. The move gives Pigee its first significant operating foothold in West Africa and provides access to local infrastructure, carrier relationships and customers that would otherwise take years to build.
Why Pigee Is Entering Africa
Pigee was founded in 2022 as a platform that helps merchants sell to customers beyond their physical locations, and it has since expanded into shipping software, international payments and customer management. Its broader ambition is to build connected logistics infrastructure spanning last-mile carriers, local hubs and international shipping services. Chief Executive Officer Leroy Lawrence said the company wanted to work with an operator that already understood the Nigerian market, citing the practical knowledge required to operate effectively in the country.
What ShipAfrica Brings to the Deal
ShipAfrica was launched in 2022 by Walter Isoko and serves individuals, merchants and third-party logistics companies through partner hubs that handle receiving, packaging and handover to carriers. The company processes more than $5 million in annual gross merchandise value and facilitates shipments across Nigeria, Africa and international markets. Its existing network gives Pigee a base from which to expand across the continent without building a Nigerian operation from scratch.
Leadership and Integration Plans
The acquisition will not trigger an immediate operational overhaul at ShipAfrica, which will retain its name, management structure and team of more than 10 employees. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Walter Isoko will remain in charge, and senior managers who hold shares will continue with the business. The companies may eventually adopt a combined brand format such as Ship Africa powered by Pigee, while gradually moving more operations onto Pigee technology for pricing, labels and tracking.
Deal Structure and Company Background
Pigee has not raised external venture funding, having been initially supported by Lawrence Investment Holdings and later angel investors, and it currently serves more than 300,000 customers on its platforms. The acquisition terms may change as Pigee raises additional capital during the 18-month period. ShipAfrica said it has not raised external equity funding, and the injected capital from the deal will provide runway to expand operations.
A Growing Logistics Consolidation Trend
The deal forms part of a wider wave of mergers and acquisitions across Africa's technology sector, where companies are using transactions to secure local infrastructure, customers and market access. TechCabal Insights recorded 84 technology M&A transactions worth $11.4 billion in disclosed value between January and August 2026, surpassing the 68 deals recorded in all of 2025. Logistics has emerged as a consolidation play, with operators combining digital software and physical freight infrastructure to address fragmented cross-border trade.
By acquiring a majority stake in ShipAfrica, Pigee gains an established local operation in Nigeria and a platform for expansion across other African markets. The combination pairs Pigee's international shipping technology and distribution capabilities with ShipAfrica's local hubs and carrier relationships. Both companies expect the partnership to let merchants move goods more seamlessly from local commerce to regional and global trade, supporting Pigee's ambition to build a connected logistics network across the continent.
Source: TechCabal