Topship
Topship is a Lagos-based digital logistics platform that aggregates 200+ global couriers into a single booking interface, serving Nigerian individuals, African MSMEs, e-commerce merchants, and freight forwarders with air/sea exports, imports, and cross-border shipping services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLagos, Nigeria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Topship does
Topship is a Lagos-headquartered digital logistics platform founded in June 2020 by Moses Enenwali that aggregates global courier and freight networks into a single booking, tracking, and management interface. The platform serves Nigerian individuals, African MSMEs, e-commerce merchants, and third-party logistics providers, offering air exports (Saver, Budget, Express tiers to 150+ cities), sea freight to the UK and USA, imports via Shop & Ship from UK/USA/Canada drop-off centers and a China-to-Nigeria route from a Guangzhou warehouse, and a 48-hour Fresh & Frozen Foods service. Supporting infrastructure includes a public REST API (with JavaScript SDK), native e-commerce plugins for Shopify and WooCommerce (with Wix and Squarespace on waitlist), and GateWay — a partner platform enabling freight forwarders to access Topship's route network under their own white-label brand. A 24/7 AI Shipping Assistant handles customer inquiries, pricing, booking, and tracking via text.
Revenue is generated primarily through usage-based per-kilogram and per-shipment pricing across all shipping services, with subscription-based monetization on the GateWay partner platform. Topship has aggregated 200+ logistics provider partnerships (DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex, Overland, Dana Air, Curacel, Dellyman, Uber Nigeria, Cargo Plug) and operates warehouse/distribution infrastructure across Nigeria, China, the UK, the USA, and Canada. The company is venture-backed by Y Combinator and Flexport with $3M in disclosed seed funding (2022), serves 18,000+ shippers and 1,166 paid customers across 31,083 bookings, and publishes the annual African Shipping Outlook research report to establish category leadership in African cross-border trade.
Topship firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Topship
- Legal name
- Topship Africa
- Website
- https://topship.africa
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Topship is a Lagos-based digital logistics platform that aggregates 200+ global couriers into a single booking interface, serving Nigerian individuals, African MSMEs, e-commerce merchants, and freight forwarders with air/sea exports, imports, and cross-border shipping services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Topship industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cross-Border Digital Logistics
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), General Warehousing and Storage (49311)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Shipper-Carrier Direct Contracting Networks (TLAEAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cross-Docking & Transload Facilities (Non-Temp Controlled) (TLALAAAE), E-commerce Cross-Border Air Parcel Forwarding (DDP/DDU, De Minimis) (TLACAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Topship is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lagos
- HQ country
- Nigeria
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices5 records
Markets served
Topship business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Air Export Freight Services: Charges per kilogram for exporting parcels and cargo from Nigeria to 150+ global destinations. Three service tiers: Saver (economy), Budget (inclusive of customs clearance), and Express (fastest). Fixed base rates plus per-kg pricing, billed per shipment.
- Sea Freight Export Services: Per-kilogram pricing for large-volume exports via sea to UK and USA. UK exports priced in GBP at £4.00/kg inclusive of customs clearance. USA exports priced in NGN at ₦600/kg. Minimum weight requirements apply. Billed per shipment.
- China-to-Nigeria Import Route: Per-kilogram import service from China suppliers and manufacturers. Fashion/hair/jewelry starts at USD 15/kg inclusive of import duties; cosmetics/skincare at USD 23/kg; phones and laptops; medical/pharma items. No doorstep delivery included, charged separately upon Lagos arrival.
- Shop & Ship Import Service: Per-kilogram charge for importing goods purchased from international online stores via Topship's UK, USA, or Canada drop-off centers. Priced at USD 20 per kg or £20 per kg inclusive of customs clearance and doorstep delivery in Lagos. Packages shipped weekly on Fridays.
- Express Import Services: Premium per-shipment import service for bringing packages from 200+ cities to Nigeria. Priced in NGN (e.g., NGN 69,093), with doorstep delivery and 3-7 working day delivery window. Billed per shipment.
- Frozen & Fresh Foods Import: Fixed per-kilogram rate of $10/kg for importing fresh and frozen foods including meats, poultry, and seafood from UK, Amsterdam, and South Africa to Nigeria within 48 hours. Billed per kilogram.
- GateWay Partner Platform: Third-party logistics providers and freight forwarders subscribe to the GateWay platform to access Topship's courier network, set their own pricing, and earn margins on shipments booked through their accounts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Saver - Economy export with 10-18 day delivery, ships to 150+ cities globally |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Budget - Recommended for heavy packages, includes customs clearance |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Express - Fastest export, 3-7 working day delivery |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Sea Freight Export to UK - Monthly shipment, 100kg minimum |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Sea Freight Export to USA - Pickup from NJ, Atlanta, Maryland, Dallas warehouses |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | China Imports - Fashion, Hair & Jewelry (Guangzhou warehouse) |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | China Imports - Liquid Cosmetics and Skin Care |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Shop & Ship - International stores to Nigeria via UK/US/Canada drop-off centers |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Express Imports - Premium 3-7 day import from 200+ cities |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Fresh & Frozen Foods Import - 48-hour delivery |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Topship product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Topship is a digital logistics platform that aggregates 200+ global courier and freight networks (DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex, etc.) into a single booking, tracking, and management interface for cross-border trade in and out of Africa. It offers door-to-door air and sea freight services covering exports from Nigeria to 150+ cities, imports from 200+ cities, and inter-state domestic delivery, with bundled customs clearance on select tiers. Supporting products include e-commerce plugins (Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace), a public REST API for developers, and the GateWay partner platform enabling third-party logistics providers to resell Topship's routes under their own brand.
Product overview
Topship is a Nigerian-founded global shipping platform that provides a comprehensive suite of logistics services for African businesses. The core platform consists of import services (Shop & Ship, China-Nigeria imports, Express imports), export services (Budget, Saver, and Express tiers), and freight solutions (sea and air). Supporting these are specialized offerings: GateWay for third-party logistics partners, an API product for developer integrations, and e-commerce plug-ins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace. The company also publishes the African Shipping Outlook research report. The architecture is a platform-plus-modules design centered on the Topship booking and tracking dashboard, with specialized services built on top for different shipping use cases and customer segments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GateWay by Topship: A growth partner platform for third-party logistics businesses and freight-forwarders, providing access to routes, customs support, and freight management technology.
Products and services
- Topship Plug-ins E-commerce plugin integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace that enable online merchants to automate delivery scheduling, rate quoting, and label generation directly from their storefronts. Shopify is available on the App Store; WooCommerce is downloadable; Wix and Squarespace are via waitlist.
- Topship API Public REST API enabling developers and third-party platforms to integrate door-to-door local and international delivery programmatically. Supports custom branding with branded shipment notifications, live tracking with daily status updates, and a dedicated Slack support channel for technical assistance from operations and developer teams.
- GateWay by Topship Growth partner platform for third-party logistics (3PL) and freight-forwarding businesses. Partners access Topship's courier network, vetted routes, customs support, white-label tools, and freight management technology. Partners generate custom-branded waybills and quotes, set their own pricing, and earn margins on shipments booked through their accounts.
- China-Nigeria Import Route Import service enabling African businesses to ship directly from Chinese suppliers and manufacturers via Topship's Guangzhou warehouse. Covers fashion, hair, jewelry, cosmetics, skincare, phones, laptops, and medical/pharmaceutical items with per-kg pricing starting at USD 15/kg (fashion) or USD 23/kg (cosmetics), inclusive of import duties. No doorstep delivery included; charged separately on Lagos arrival.
- Shop & Ship Import service for goods purchased from international online stores via Topship's UK, USA, or Canada drop-off centers. Priced at USD 20/kg or GBP 20/kg, inclusive of customs clearance charges and doorstep delivery in Lagos. Packages shipped weekly on Fridays, with 7-14 business day delivery timeline.
- Exports Service Export shipping service from Nigeria to 150+ cities worldwide with three tiers: Saver (economy, 10-18 working days, not inclusive of customs clearance), Budget (10-18 working days, inclusive of customs clearance, recommended for heavy packages), and Express (3-7 working days, fastest delivery). Fixed base rates plus per-kg pricing, billed per shipment.
- Imports Service Import service for receiving packages from 200+ cities worldwide to Nigeria. Express Imports tier delivers in 3-7 working days with doorstep delivery included at starting rate of NGN 69,093 per shipment. Shop & Ship provides zero-customs imports from UK, US, or Canada drop-off centers.
- Sea Freight Sea freight service for large-volume exports via sea to UK and USA. UK exports priced at GBP 4.00/kg inclusive of customs clearance, 100kg minimum, monthly shipments, 2-3 month delivery. USA exports priced at NGN 600/kg, NOT inclusive of customs clearance, with pickup from partner warehouses in New Jersey, Atlanta, Maryland, and Dallas. Doorstep delivery available at additional charge.
- Fresh & Frozen Foods Import Import service for fresh and frozen foods including meats, poultry, and seafood from UK, Amsterdam, and South Africa to Nigeria within 48 hours. Fixed rate of USD 10/kg, billed per kilogram, with customs handling included.
Quantifiable outcome
- 60% of SME exports from Nigeria go to UK, USA, and Canada
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Topship
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Topship technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
Topship partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and emerging.
- DHLcoreDHL is one of Topship's 200+ logistics provider partners. Topship aggregates DHL's shipping network alongside other carriers to offer customers a choice of courier options for international deliveries.
- FedExcoreFedEx is one of Topship's 200+ logistics provider partners. Integrated into Topship's platform for air freight and express delivery options for Nigerian businesses shipping globally.
- UPScoreUPS is one of Topship's 200+ logistics provider partners, enabling reliable international shipping options through Topship's platform.
- AramexcoreAramex is a featured logistics partner shown in the Topship partner logo section. Provides regional and international shipping coverage within Topship's network.
- OverlandmajorOverland is listed among Topship's logistics provider partners, contributing to the aggregated courier network available on the platform.
- Dana Air CargomajorDana Air Cargo is a Nigerian airline cargo service integrated into Topship's network for domestic and regional shipments.
- CuracelmajorCuracel is a logistics partner featured in Topship's partner ecosystem, likely providing last-mile delivery and local logistics within Nigeria.
- DellymanmajorDellyman is a Nigerian last-mile delivery platform integrated into Topship's network for door-to-door deliveries within Nigeria.
- Uber (Nigeria)minorUber Nigeria is listed among Topship's partners, potentially for local delivery and pickup coordination.
- Cargo PlugmajorCargo Plug is a logistics and cargo service partner in Topship's network, featured prominently on the homepage partner section.
- ShopifycoreTopship offers a native Shopify app available on the Shopify App Store, enabling Shopify merchants to install the Topship plugin and automate shipping directly from their store dashboard. Installation guides and direct plugin links provided on Topship's website.
- WooCommercecoreTopship provides a WooCommerce plugin downloadable via Google Drive, enabling WordPress/WooCommerce store owners to integrate Topship shipping directly into their e-commerce workflow.
- WixemergingWix website builder integration with Topship is available via a waitlist, indicating an upcoming native plugin for Wix-based online stores.
- SquarespaceemergingSquarespace integration with Topship is available via a waitlist, indicating an upcoming native plugin for Squarespace-based e-commerce stores.
- DHL GroupcoreDHL Group committed over €300 million to the African market in October 2025, underscoring increasing investor confidence in the continent's export potential. Referenced in Topship's African Shipping Outlook 2025 report.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Topship competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Easyship: Easyship is a cloud-based shipping aggregator that lets merchants compare rates, book, and track across 250+ couriers via API and plug-ins. Like Topship, it bundles customs/duties at checkout, offers Shopify/WooCommerce plug-ins, and targets cross-border SMB e-commerce - making it Topship's closest functional peer, albeit with a developed-market focus rather than African.
- Shippo: Shippo is a shipping API and dashboard that aggregates USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL rates for SMB merchants. It shares Topship's developer-first, plug-in-driven GTM, multi-carrier rate card, and e-commerce integrations, but is primarily US-domestic rather than cross-border focused.
- Shiprocket: Shiprocket is an Indian shipping aggregator offering rate comparison, NDR management, and plug-ins for Shopify/WooCommerce across 17+ couriers. It mirrors Topship's aggregator-plus-plug-in model for emerging-market SMB exporters, and serves as a useful comparator on emerging-market unit economics.
Broad incumbents
- Flexport: Flexport is a global digital freight forwarder covering ocean, air, and road with proprietary software. It is both Topship's seed co-investor and a strategic comparitor - offering the same digital booking/tracking value prop at enterprise scale, but focused on containerized freight rather than African SMB parcels.
- DHL Express: DHL is one of Topship's named carrier partners and a global integrator with extensive African air/road network and recently announced >€300M African investment. It is the dominant incumbent Topship must compete with on international reliability while simultaneously relying on for capacity.
- Aramex: Aramex is a Middle East-headquartered global logistics integrator covering express, freight, and e-commerce fulfillment. It is also a Topship partner but a broader incumbent overlapping on cross-border parcel forwarding from emerging markets into Europe/Asia.
Regional players
- Sendy: Sendy is a Kenyan on-demand delivery and fulfillment platform connecting businesses to truck and van drivers across East Africa. It overlaps with Topship on African last-mile delivery and API-driven dispatch, but is regional (Kenya/Uganda) and B2B rather than cross-border export.
- Lori Systems: Lori Systems is a Kenyan logistics-tech platform digitizing African cargo haulage and connecting shippers to vetted trucking capacity across East/West Africa. Comparable to Topship on the digital shipper-carrier matching thesis and African focus, but specializing in overland freight rather than cross-border air/sea parcels.
- KoboGo: KoboGo is an African e-commerce logistics startup offering cross-border shipping, fulfillment, and last-mile delivery for online merchants. It is the most direct African cross-border parcel-forwarding peer to Topship, with overlapping customer segments (SME exporters and online shoppers).
Emerging players
- Afrikrea: Afrikrea is an Ivorian marketplace and SaaS platform for African fashion and craft sellers exporting globally. While not a logistics operator, it shares Topship's MSME-export DNA and represents both an adjacent ecosystem player and a potential distribution channel for Topship's shipping services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Topship social profiles
Digital presenceTopship financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Topship leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Topship funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Topship M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Topship
What does Topship do?
Topship is a digital logistics platform that aggregates 200+ global courier and freight networks (DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex, etc.) into a single booking, tracking, and management interface for cross-border trade in and out of Africa. It offers door-to-door air and sea freight services covering exports from Nigeria to 150+ cities, imports from 200+ cities, and inter-state domestic delivery, with bundled customs clearance on select tiers. Supporting products include e-commerce plugins (Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace), a public REST API for developers, and the GateWay partner platform enabling third-party logistics providers to resell Topship's routes under their own brand.
Is Topship a public or private company?
Topship is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Topship founded?
Topship was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Topship based?
Topship is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, in the Africa region.
How does Topship make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Air Export Freight Services are the primary driver. The others are sea Freight Export Services, china-to-Nigeria Import Route, shop & Ship Import Service, express Import Services, frozen & Fresh Foods Import and gateWay Partner Platform.
Who are Topship's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Easyship, Shippo and Shiprocket. Broad incumbents are Flexport, DHL Express and Aramex. Regional players are Sendy, Lori Systems and KoboGo. Afrikrea is listed as an emerging player.
Does Topship have an API?
Yes. Topship offers a public API that enables developers to integrate global door-to-door local and international delivery into digital products and e-commerce platforms. The API supports custom branding with branded shipment notifications sent from the company's email, live tracking and visibility with daily status updates on the dashboard, and a dedicated Slack support channel for escalations and technical assistance from operations and developer teams. Developer documentation is at api-topship.com/shipping/docs#.
What industry is Topship in?
Topship's product category is Cross-Border Digital Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAEAJAC, Shipper-Carrier Direct Contracting Networks, with a secondary code of TLALAAAE, Cross-Docking & Transload Facilities (Non-Temp Controlled). Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.