The company revealed the plans at its Delivering the Future event in Dartford, England, where it also introduced an upgraded version of Proteus, its autonomous warehouse robot.

The new Proteus can move across warehouse floors rather than being limited to loading and dock areas. Amazon said employees can now give the robot instructions using everyday language instead of technical commands.

“You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing,” said Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics.

Like the current version, Proteus is designed to handle physically demanding work, including moving heavy carts over long distances. Amazon explained that the upgraded robot is being tested in its laboratories and is expected to begin operating in Europe during the first half of 2027.

Alongside Proteus, Amazon also highlighted other robotics technologies that it plans to expand across its European network. These include Vulcan, the company’s first robot with a sense of touch, and STARK, a robotic tote-handling system that works alongside employees by picking full totes from conveyors and placing them onto carts.

STARK was first tested in Barcelona and Amazon plans to deploy it at 15 sites across Europe by 2027.

The warehouse robots rollout is part of an investment programme worth more than €10 billion, Amazon said the funding will be used to expand and modernise fulfilment centres across Europe while supporting long-term growth in the region.

The company expects the expansion to create 25,000 additional jobs across its European fulfilment network over the coming years.

Amazon also announced a fresh commitment to workforce development, pledging $1 billion to its Career Choice programme by 2030. The initiative funds education and training for employees seeking careers in areas such as cyber security, software development, logistics, renewable energy and mechatronics.

More than 300,000 employees have participated in the programme globally, including 30,000 in the United Kingdom.

On the delivery side, Amazon said it will open more than 25 Sub Same-Day Delivery sites across Europe this year. The facilities bring storage, fulfilment and final delivery operations together in one location, allowing customers to place orders later in the day and still receive them within hours.

The company said the network will expand to locations including Coventry in the UK and Nürnberg in Germany.

Amazon Now, the retailer’s ultra-fast delivery service for groceries and household essentials, is also set for further growth. The service, which promises delivery in 30 minutes or less, is already available in parts of London and will expand to Manchester and Birmingham later this year.

In another update for European customers, Amazon said its Add to Delivery feature will launch in the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and France later this year. The service allows Prime members to add items to an existing order without completing a separate checkout process or paying extra delivery charges.

The company is also strengthening its grocery offering. Customers in parts of central and east London can now combine fresh food items, including fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products, with other Amazon purchases for same-day delivery.

Amazon said the investment drive follows a record year in Europe. The company invested more than €60 billion across the region in 2025, its largest annual investment in Europe to date.

The retailer also provided an update on its sustainability efforts, revealing that more than 50,000 electric delivery vans are now operating across the United States, Europe and India. That figure represents half of Amazon’s target to deploy 100,000 electric vans globally by 2030.

In Europe, Amazon and its delivery partners have now completed more than 100 million deliveries using electric cargo bikes, electric mopeds and on-foot delivery methods. These deliveries have helped avoid more than 17,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.

As more Nigerians turn to on-demand delivery services for personal and business needs, Bolt says understanding what can and cannot be sent through Bolt Send is essential to protecting customers, recipients and courier partners.

Bolt Send is designed specifically for package deliveries and is ideal for sending documents, clothing, small gifts, forgotten personal items and small business deliveries.

However, the company has observed instances where customers attempt to send items that fall outside the service’s terms and conditions, creating avoidable risks and delivery challenges.

According to Bolt, customers should not send items valued above ₦50,000, as packages delivered through Bolt Send are insured up to that amount.

The company also prohibits the transportation of illegal items, weapons, drugs, toxic substances, flammable materials, highly fragile goods and highly perishable items.

To ensure a smooth delivery experience, users are encouraged to properly package and seal items before pickup, ensure parcels weigh no more than 25kg, and have packages ready before a courier partner arrives. Accurate pickup and drop-off details should also be provided to avoid delays and delivery issues.

The company noted that by placing an order through Bolt Send, customers agree to the platform’s terms and conditions and share responsibility for ensuring that packages comply with the service guidelines.

“Most deliveries on Bolt Send are completed successfully every day. Following these simple guidelines helps create a safer experience for everyone involved while ensuring the service remains reliable for users who depend on it,” Teddy Appah-Dankyi, Bolt’s Senior General Manager, West Africa commented.

Bolt warned that misuse of the service may result in account restrictions, removal from the platform, or reports to relevant authorities where necessary.

The company encouraged customers to review Bolt Send guidelines before placing an order and to contact customer support if they are unsure whether an item is eligible for delivery.

FedEx dropped as much as 7.4% during trading, its steepest fall in over a year, while UPS followed, sliding up to 8.9%. 

Forward Air and GXO Logistics both recorded double-digit declines, while Old Dominion Freight Line fell more than 5%.

The reaction came within hours after Amazon announced that it would open its logistics network to businesses beyond its marketplace.

With such a wide scope, the company plans to offer freight, warehousing, fulfilment and parcel delivery as a single service to external clients.

Amazon has spent years building warehouses, delivery stations and air capacity to speed up its own orders. Now, it wants to use spare capacity to move goods for other companies, even when those goods have nothing to do with its retail platform.

In practical terms, this puts Amazon in direct competition with long-established carriers. It also stretches into areas handled by freight brokers, warehouse operators and trucking firms. 

The market reaction shows how seriously investors are taking that risk.

Amazon said customers could range from industrial groups like 3M to retailers such as Lands’ End, showing it is not targeting a niche. Rather, it is going after the expansive logistics market.

Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker wrote, “The announcement could be a watershed moment for North American freight transportation companies.”

Others see a longer build-up behind this move. Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management, said, “Amazon has been heading in this direction for several years, offering portions of its supply chain capabilities as services to non-Amazon sellers.” 

He added, “Bringing its end-to-end capabilities to market in a unified service offering stands to disrupt the US logistics market.”

The issue is not just about parcel delivery, as air freight firms, trucking companies and even rail and ocean shipping operators could feel the pressure if Amazon scales quickly. 

Its advantage lies in adequate management, as it owns large parts of the network, from storage to last-mile delivery.

Competitors are facing a company with deep pockets, existing infrastructure and a track record of cutting delivery times. Investors responded fast, and the sell-off reveals that.

However, Amazon still needs to prove it can run this as a standalone service at scale.

The company said businesses will now be able to move, store, and deliver goods using its existing supply chain systems, including ocean freight, air transport, ground haulage, warehousing, and parcel delivery. The service is available to firms across sectors, such as retail, healthcare, automotive, and manufacturing.

Amazon described the rollout as an expansion of tools it has already been using internally and with third-party sellers for years. It pointed to its Fulfilment by Amazon system, which has supported independent sellers since 2006. Those sellers have shipped more than 80 billion units through Amazon’s network.

Over time, Amazon added more logistics functions beyond fulfilment centres. That includes cross-border shipping, customs handling, and bulk storage. The company said it now moves billions of items annually for selling partners.

Peter Larsen, vice president of Amazon Supply Chain Services, said the system builds on long-term infrastructure investment.

“Amazon is bringing the infrastructure, intelligence, and scale of its supply chain services, proven over decades, to businesses everywhere, much like Amazon Web Services did for cloud computing,” he said.

“Supply chain wasn’t just a function at Amazon, it was core to providing an exceptional shopping experience. Our differentiator. The reason we could offer fast, dependable delivery that nobody else could. 

“And with the launch of ASCS, we’re confident we can give any other business access to the same cost efficiency, reliability, and speed that we’ve built for Amazon customers.”

Several large companies are already testing the service, including Procter & Gamble, using Amazon’s freight network to move raw materials and finished goods across its operations.

3M is also using the system to transport products from factories to distribution centres worldwide, while Lands’ End said it is using Amazon’s unified inventory system to manage orders across multiple sales channels.

Again, American Eagle Outfitters is using Amazon’s parcel delivery network for online orders across its brands.

Andrew McLean, chief executive of Lands’ End, said the system improves delivery timing for customers.

“Amazon is one of our key ecommerce partners, and we’re excited to leverage Amazon Supply Chain Services to position inventory closer to customers so we can reach them even faster,” he said. 

“This consistency is central to our solutions-based approach, enabling us to serve customers with confidence and agility, especially during peak seasons.”

Amazon said the system is built around three main services, which are freight transport, inventory distribution, and parcel delivery.

Freight covers movement by air, sea, road, and rail, with tracking and customs support included. Distribution allows companies to store stock closer to demand and fulfil orders across different sales channels. 

Parcel delivery provides nationwide shipping with two to five-day delivery windows, including weekend operations.

The company further noted that businesses will also get access to a central platform to manage services and shipments.

Amazon also highlighted early results from sellers already using its logistics tools, saying some businesses recorded higher sales after integrating supply chain services, alongside lower operating costs.

Independent sellers are a big part of Amazon’s logistics network. They now move billions of products each year through its system, supported by fulfilment centres and transport operations across regions.

Some sellers said the expansion reduces operational pressure. One business founder said:

“Amazon has added value at every stage of our supply chain from cross-border logistics to warehouse storage and parcel shipping,” said Todd Bairstow, founder of Finer Form. 

“We’ve been able to save money, eliminate operational complexity, and it’s given us more time to focus on what matters: building our brand. Honestly, there wouldn’t be a Finer Form without Amazon.”

Amazon said the new service builds on the same infrastructure it developed for its own retail operations, adding that it now wants to make that system available to any business, not just those selling on its marketplace.

This was revealed on Monday by Co-founder and Chief Executive Femi Aluko, who described the company’s rise as a clear sign that the on-demand model can succeed at scale in Africa. 

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Chowdeck just hit 2 million users!” He recalled the company’s early days, noting: “It feels like just yesterday that we started with three riders and two restaurant partners. We now have more than 20k riders across 14 cities in Nigeria and Ghana.”

Chowdeck’s recent drive shows how quickly it has moved from a small experiment to a major logistics company. Founded in 2021, the company has expanded into urban markets including Lagos, Abuja, Accra, and Kumasi.

Its network of over 20,000 riders now supports a growing mix of restaurant deliveries, groceries, and everyday essentials.

The latest achievement comes months after Chowdeck secured $9 million in Series A funding, an investment led by Novastar Ventures with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and a series of angel investors, including Paystack founders Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi. 

The company said the capital would support its expansion plans in both Nigeria and Ghana and speed up its move into quick commerce.

That strategy, built around dark stores and hyperlocal fulfilment hubs, is designed to cut delivery times. Chowdeck sees it as the backbone of a bigger vision to build what Aluko has previously described as “Africa’s number one super app.”

Africa’s food-delivery sector is expanding at double-digit rates each year, driven by smartphone growth, denser cities, and high demand for convenience. 

While larger global companies such as Jumia Food have struggled to maintain profit, Chowdeck’s locally tuned approach has helped it sidestep many of those challenges.

Aluko, in his message, credited users and partners for the company’s rise. “We are incredibly proud of the technology we’ve built and the logistics network we have established. But most importantly, we are proud of our ecosystem: our customers, our riders, and our vendor partners.” 

He added: “I am really grateful to our team, customers, riders and partners for coming on this journey with us. Thank you so much for coming on this journey with us. It’s still Day 1!”

Competition in Africa’s delivery market is far from settled, but Chowdeck is highly focused on enlarging its lead and testing how far its model can stretch across the continent.

The deal allows ShipAfrica to plug into Unlimit’s payment network, giving customers access to a wide range of local and international payment options. 

The integration is already live in several countries. Users in Kenya can now complete transactions through Pesalink, M-Pesa, and Airtel Money. 

Tanzania has added M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Mixx, while ShipAfrica customers in Nigeria can pay via bank transfers and cards. Major global card schemes will also be enabled in additional markets.

ShipAfrica’s platform connects African sellers and shoppers with overseas destinations and offers delivery services for individuals and businesses. The company expects the new payment channels to reduce failed transactions and improve access for users who rely on domestic payment systems. 

“Enabling cross-border operations is at the heart of Unlimit’s mission. By integrating Unlimit’s payment platform, we are enabling ShipAfrica to receive payments locally in the markets where our customers are most active. 

“This eliminates the friction of international payment processing, reduces transaction costs, and improves access for consumers who prefer local payment methods,” explains Walter Isoko, CEO, at ShipAfrica.

Unlimit, which launched in 2009, provides payment processing, banking-as-a-service, and other financial services to clients operating across different regions. The company has offices in 17 locations, including London, Singapore, and São Paulo, and employs more than 700 staff.

Africa’s online retail market continues to expand, with revenue expected to reach $61.78 billion by 2030. Rising demand for digital payments has pushed logistics and financial service providers to improve settlement times, reduce operating costs, and support local payment behaviour across borders.

“Unlimit is deeply committed to supporting the new chapter of Africa’s e-commerce growth. Our partnership with ShipAfrica helps businesses scale by giving their customers access to familiar, reliable payment experiences across borders. 

“Together, we’re reducing operational costs, avoiding settlement delays, improving cash flow, and enabling merchants to tap into the full potential of Africa’s fast-growing e-commerce economy,” adds Irene Skrynova, Chief Customer Officer at Unlimit.

Both Unlimit and ShipAfrica say the partnership is aimed at easing trade across regions and supporting businesses that need faster, simpler international transactions.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, November 17 2025, Distinguished Professor Simon Emeje, the executive chairman of CLMI, said the conference and investiture will take place on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Described as a premier world-class experience, he said that the conference will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and strategic thinkers from across sectors to examine the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Africa’s fast-evolving logistics ecosystem, as the global logistics, courier and transport market value is an average of $60 Trillion.

“The CLMI International Conference & Investiture 2025 provides a unique platform where strategies are formed, partnerships are nurtured, and actionable insights drive real economic impact. It aims to strengthen the logistics sector’s role in driving sustainable business growth, wealth creation, and national development,” Prof. Emeje said.

“Nigeria, for instance, has been dependent on oil and gas for a long time, but courier and logistics, when fully harnessed, have the capacity to generate 50% of the country’s revenue.

“The global logistics, courier and transport (LCT) market value is an average of $60 Trillion. The market value in Nigeria is about N25 trillion (market value). There is need to examine further on Africa’s position in the market in light with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation.

He said that participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with top industry leaders and decision-makers, gain practical insights into building sustainable, high-impact businesses through trade logistics, explore new opportunities for career growth, investment, and commercial expansion, and join a national movement committed to transforming Nigeria’s trade and logistics ecosystem.

“This is more than a conference,” Prof. Emeje stated. “It is a transformative platform where vision turns into impact and where participants, from industry professionals to aspiring leaders, gain the tools and network needed to influence Africa’s future.”

Themed, “Building Entrepreneurship and National Wealth through Trade Logistics”, the event will be held under the chairmanship of Senator Aliyu Ikra Bilbis, chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, while Senator Adedayo Clement Adeyeye, chairman, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), will deliver the keynote address.

The conference will also feature renowned figures shaping Africa’s logistics and trade landscape, including Capt. Giorgio Enrico Del Celo, CEO, Primenext Logistics; Dr. Sola Obabori, Executive Director, Corporate Services, NAHCO; Dr. Sonny Allison, Founder, RedStar Plc., Dr. Ebere Njoku, Director-General, Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce & Industry, amongst others.

“Their expertise will offer a roadmap for repositioning Africa’s logistics industry as a catalyst for global competitiveness.

“Participants can register at www.clmi.ng or use the direct registration link: https://bit.ly/2025-INVESTITURE”, the executive chairman said.

Speaking further, he said that CLMI is committed to advancing professionalism, excellence, and innovation in logistics, supply chain management, and trade operations.

“Through conferences, certifications, and capacity-building initiatives, CLMI continues to strengthen the industry’s role in national and continental development”, he explained.

In a post on X, Chief Executive Officer Femi Aluko announced, “I am super pumped to share that last month, @chowdeck hit over 1 million orders in Nigeria in a single month! ” He added that while recent weeks had not been perfect, the company was “listening, learning, and fixing things quickly.”

According to Aluko, Chowdeck’s daily orders have climbed from an average of around 30,000 to more than 40,000 and continue to rise. The pace of this growth shows the company’s widening reach across Nigerian cities and its recent expansion into Ghana.

Founded in 2021, Chowdeck has built a strong foothold through speed, consistent delivery, and customer-focused incentives. Its “Rider Games” programme, ChowScore loyalty system, and referral discounts have helped it attract and retain a fast-growing base of users. 

What began with just a few hundred customers now serves over a million monthly across Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and other cities.

The company’s expansion strategy has been deliberate. In June 2025, Chowdeck acquired Mira, a point-of-sale startup created by former Flutterwave and Paystack employees, to strengthen its merchant ecosystem. This move added payment processing, inventory management, and financing tools to the platform, aligning with Chowdeck’s quick commerce vision. 

Two months later, it secured $9 million in Series A funding led by Novastar Ventures, joined by Y Combinator, Founders Factory Africa, and Voltron Capital.

Chowdeck’s rapid growth comes amid the exit of competitors such as Jumia Food and Bolt Food, both of which withdrew from Nigeria after struggling with thin margins and high costs of operation. Their departure left a gap in several markets, one that Chowdeck has been quick to fill.

In Ghana, where the company launched earlier this year, it reached 1,000 daily orders within three months, three times faster than it managed during its initial rollout in Nigeria. This achievement shows strong demand and also operational efficiency refined over time.

Despite facing challenges with support and logistics, Aluko credits customer trust and patience as central to the company’s progress. “This milestone reminds us of what is possible when people believe in what we’re building,” he said. “Cheers to 1M orders! It’s still Day 1, and there are many more wins to come.”

The election, conducted fully online, recorded one of the highest turnouts in the institute’s recent history.

Out of 348 registered members, 314 were accredited to vote, and 301 valid ballots were counted. Oyeyemi secured 177 votes, defeating Anthony Onoharigho Akpoje, who polled 124. The results were confirmed by Rakiya Nuhu, Chairperson of the 2025 National Council Election Committee.

“Accordingly, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, FCILT is hereby declared the duly elected National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria for the 2025–2027 term,” she announced.

Other council positions, including those of Vice Presidents, Mode Representatives, and the Diversity & Inclusion Officer, were returned unopposed.

Juliana Saka was returned as Deputy National President with 284 votes, while the vice presidencies went to Sani Mathew (North, 233 votes), Dr Monday Ezechukwu (East, 234 votes), and Elisha Ebah (West, 238 votes). 

Mode representatives included Dr Ajao Oluseyi for Logistics and Supply Chain, Salim Bello for Maritime, Dr William Odemwingie for Pipeline, Abdulganiyu Tijani for Road, Dauda Olabayo for Railway, and Rosemary Audu for Aviation, who polled one of the highest votes with 273. 

In addition, Queen Ajayi was chosen as Diversity and Inclusion Leader, securing 279 votes. The newly elected officers will be sworn in at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting on October 23, 2025 at the Civic Centre, Lagos.

Transformation Agenda: CILT Nigeria Finetuned

Oyeyemi’s presidency will be driven by a reform blueprint tagged “CILT Nigeria Finetuned”. The programme sets commendable targets:

• Growing membership by 60% and doubling corporate participation in four years.
• Establishing a Road Transport Sector Council to improve collaboration with regulators such as FRSC and transport unions.
• Introducing bridging courses and professional conversion tracks for fleet managers, safety officers, and logistics SMEs.
• Deploying “Transport Champions” in every Nigerian state to mentor and recruit new members.

The agenda shows a vision to place Nigeria at the top when it comes to logistics, professional training, and transport standards. It also aligns with CILT International’s broader objectives and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), where Oyeyemi has long played a central role.

Track Record in Public Service

Before this election, Oyeyemi had built a reputation as a reformer. During his tenure at the FRSC, the agency became the first law enforcement institution in Africa to earn ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification. The World Bank later named the FRSC “the best example of a road safety lead agency in Africa.”

His leadership also saw Nigeria consolidate its influence within WARSO, strengthening regional cooperation on traffic safety and logistics development.

Oyeyemi, who holds a doctorate in public administration, has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2006, the National Productivity Order of Merit (2015), and the LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Public Officer of the Year Award in the same year.

Continuity and Expansion

Dr Oyeyemi succeeds Mfon Usoro, who broadened CILT Nigeria’s reach through advocacy, professional development, and gender inclusion initiatives. His presidency is expected to deepen partnerships with government, academia, unions, and international development agencies, while also enhancing digital platforms for training and certification.

For CILT Nigeria members, the expectation is that Oyeyemi must turn his track record in reform and standard-setting into measurable results that can reposition the sector locally and globally.

The Lazio Regional Administrative Court confirmed on Tuesday that Amazon restricted competition in Italy’s e-commerce logistics sector. 

However, it ruled that the Italian Antitrust Authority (AGCM) had wrongly applied a discretionary 50% surcharge to the original figure. The judges said the regulator failed to adequately justify why Amazon’s global turnover should trigger such an increase.

Although the court did not provide a revised figure, removing the surcharge would bring the penalty closer to €750 million, according to calculations cited by Reuters. Amazon has yet to respond to the ruling.

The fine, handed down in December 2021, was one of the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a U.S. tech giant in Europe. Regulators accused Amazon of favouring its own logistics service, Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), at the expense of independent providers. 

Sellers who chose FBA were reportedly rewarded with better visibility and access to Prime benefits, tilting the playing field in Amazon’s favour.

The court’s decision preserves the core finding of Amazon being engaged in anti-competitive issues. What it does change is the financial weight of the punishment. 

In striking out the surcharge, the ruling exposes a weakness in how competition regulators calculate penalties against multinational corporations with revenues that far exceed the scale of their local operations.

Across Europe, Amazon is still facing some issues. Authorities in Germany, France and at the European Commission have launched similar investigations, many centred on platform self-preferencing, data use, and unfair treatment of third-party sellers.

The case reveals that European regulators are determined to hold Big Tech accountable, and applying financial penalties in proportion to global tech revenues is still legally and politically complex.