In Nigeria, diesel fuel is a key source of energy for a range of industrial and commercial activities, including agriculture, power generation and transportation. Due to irregular electricity supply and the widespread use of diesel-powered machinery in Nigeria, there is a constant and continuous demand for diesel in the country. As such, venturing into the business of diesel supply presents positive prospects. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to start diesel supply business in Nigeria.
How to start diesel supply business in Nigeria will be discussed below:
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Conduct Market Research
Just as with every other type of business, conducting a market survey is usually the first stage of starting a business. In the case of the diesel supply business, you will need to gather and analyze information about the diesel supply market, customers, and industry trends to make informed decisions.
In this stage, you would have to study the prevailing prices of diesel fuel in your target market, develop a research-based market entry strategy, and investigate potential sources of diesel supply.
Additionally, your market research should include carrying out a price analysis to determine the price range customers are willing to pay, as well as considering the cost structure of venturing into the diesel supply business.
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Create a Business Plan
Creating a comprehensive business plan is the next step after you’ve completed the market research stage.
A well-structured business plan will serve as a roadmap for your diesel supply business, help you secure financing, attract potential partners or investors, and make informed decisions.
Your business plan should contain an Executive Summary section which provides a concise summary of your business and highlights key points about diesel supply in your target market and your unique value proposition.
Additionally, it should contain the Business Description section which gives detailed information about your diesel supply business, your location, facilities, and any partnership or supplier relationships you have established.
Furthermore, include the results of your market research and highlight key findings that demonstrate the potential for growth and success in the diesel supply market.
- Funding request
- Risk assessment
- Financial projections
- Marketing and sales strategy
- Products and services
- Appendices that include supporting documents
- Etc.
Your business plan should also provide a thorough analysis of your competitors in the diesel supply industry.
Other vital sections to include in your business plan include:
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Seek Funding
Seeking funding is the next step of the process. But first, you’ll determine your funding needs by calculating the total capital required to start and run your diesel supply business.
The sources you can get your capital from include personal savings and contributions, bank loans, government grants, and alternative lending options. Other options include pitching to investors, partnerships and joint ventures with established players in the diesel supply industry, as well as getting funds from friends and family, and angel investors.
To ensure you judiciously use your startup funds, ensure to clearly outline in your funding proposal how you intend to use the funds you receive. You may need to consult with legal and financial professionals to ensure that any investment agreements or financing arrangements are legally sound and protect the interests of all parties involved.
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Find a Diesel Supplier
With your funds in hand, the next step is to find a diesel supplier whom you can get the products from. Approach companies that supply diesel in bulk. You could walk into the offices of these companies, be introduced by a friend, or seek them out on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
Ensure to have several suppliers that you can always get quotes from when you get a diesel supply order.
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Find Diesel Buyers
With the supplier sorted out, the next step is to find diesel buyers. This is arguably the most important step of the process because without getting diesel buyers, you cannot make a living as a diesel supplier in Nigeria.
To do this, approach organizations and businesses in need of diesel supplies. Some organizations that usually need a constant supply of diesel that you can approach include government hospitals, manufacturing companies, large-scale agricultural farms, mining companies, transportation companies, construction companies, hotels, government agencies, and more.
Furthermore, tank farms require a regular supply of diesel. This option presents the opportunity to record a substantial windfall since tank farms usually make diesel supply requests running into millions of litres. In this case, you’d need to identify the players who import diesel into Nigeria and link them with the tank farms in need. You make a profit by adding a markup of N2 to N5, even N10 on each litre supplied.
To increase your chances of getting regular diesel buyers, utilize social media platforms to showcase your diesel supply business, participate in relevant events to network and promote your business, as well as establish partnerships with complementary businesses to expand your outreach and offer bundled services.
Other useful strategies include word-of-mouth marketing, usage of customer testimonials, creating, and optimizing a website for search engines to boost your business visibility online, utilizing influencer marketing, providing exceptional customer service and after-sale services, and using geo-targeted advertising to target potential customers in specific areas of the country.
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Broker a Deal
When you get a diesel supply request, get in touch with the supplier and broker the transaction. Depending on the diesel buyer, your income from a deal could be in the form of commission or a markup of N5 to N10 on each litre of diesel supplied.
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Challenges in the Diesel Supply Business in Nigeria
Although the diesel supply business in Nigeria is lucrative, there are some potential challenges you’ll likely face when you eventually start.
One of the challenges is inadequate storage facilities which can lead to contamination of the diesel. Another is payment details from clients which can lead to cash flow problems.
Security challenges, especially during the movement of the product from point A to B, bureaucracy and lack of skilled workforce are additional challenges too.