Intra-Africa Trade & Logistics Manager - Aquantuo

Aquantuo is your go-to partner for all your e-commerce, shipping and logistics needs, whether you are an individual, a small business, or a large enterprise. Our core values revolve around smart strategy, unbeatable cost efficiency, and seamless scalability. We offer budget-friendly shipping rates, and for U.S. orders, we offer zero sales tax. Our array of services include; speedy Air and Sea Freight for online purchases and buy-for-me assistance, door-to-door delivery, 3PL (third-party logistics) fulfillment, personalized Concierge service, secure Warehousing, and smooth Customs Brokerage. We have it all, tailored just for you. 

Job Summary

Aquantuo is launching a strategic new business line focused on facilitating intra-African trade—streamlining shipping, customs clearance, compliance, and payments between African countries. This initiative is rooted in unlocking the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). At Aquantuo, we also believe in promoting businesses and enriching the continent by keeping the wealth on the continent.

We are seeking a hands-on, execution-focused leader to establish and lead the Intra-Africa Shipping department. The ideal candidate will drive both business growth and operational setup, from strategy through execution, while building systems, teams, and partnerships from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

1. Department Setup & Operational Design

• Lead the creation and operationalization of Aquantuo’s Intra-Africa Shipping department from scratch.
• Design and implement end-to-end intra-Africa logistics flows (road, air, sea) for both imports and exports.
• Build SOPs, SLAs, escalation matrices, pricing, and internal playbooks tailored to multi-country operations.
• Define roles and set up internal teams including logistics coordinators, customs handlers, and member success agents.
• Identify and implement relevant technology tools (e.g., customs management, PAPSS integration, etc).
• Develop operational KPIs and ensure service-level consistency across all intra-Africa trade lanes.

2. Route Development & Logistics Execution

• Map and launch priority corridors across African countries based on trade demand, member needs, and feasibility, to include but not limited to countries Aquantuo currently has presence in.
• Source and manage 3PL/4PL partners, customs agents, and transport vendors across multiple countries.
• Ensure cargo visibility, documentation compliance, and timely movement of goods.
• Troubleshoot delivery delays, customs bottlenecks, and payment roadblocks with urgency and ownership.

3. Trade Facilitation & Compliance

• Leverage AfCFTA trade protocols, including preferential tariffs and rules of origin, to reduce cost and improve efficiency.
• Coordinate with customs authorities and trade bureaus across countries to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Drive PAPSS adoption and integration to enable faster and cost-effective cross-border payments.

4. Business Development & Partnerships

• Identify high-potential SMEs, exporters/importers, and aggregators looking to ship across African countries.
• Cultivate partnerships with regional chambers, trade associations, freight platforms, and AfCFTA-aligned institutions.
• Build a network of trusted regional agents and resellers to grow Aquantuo’s reach and revenue.

5. Member Success & Relationship Management

• Develop a seamless member onboarding process, from quoting to documentation and delivery.
• Ensure proactive communication, tracking, and resolution throughout the shipping lifecycle.
• Manage member escalations, improve satisfaction scores, and ensure member retention.

6. Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track performance metrics (e.g., volume moved, delivery times, cost per lane, customs delays, member ratings).
• Build dashboards and internal reporting for leadership visibility.
• Use insights to refine operations, reduce costs, and scale best practices across trade corridors.

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, International Business, Operations, or a related field. Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 3–7 years of experience in logistics operations, cross-border trade, customs, or supply chain management in Africa.
• Proven track record in building or scaling a department, team, or operational unit.  
• Deep understanding of AfCFTA, customs protocols, and cross-border logistics ecosystems in Africa.
• Strong grasp of PAPSS or familiarity with cross-border payment systems and financial settlement.
• Excellent execution skills—able to go from vision to implementation across people, process, and platforms.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills for managing vendors, partners, and regulatory bodies.

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