CNN’s Marketplace Africa meets Chidi Ajaere

CNN’s Marketplace Africa meets Chidi Ajaere

In the latest episode of Marketplace Africa, CNN highlights the work of Chidi Ajaere, the Executive Chairman of Greatman Legend. The company started as a homegrown logistics business in Nigeria and has grown into a broader technology conglomerate operating out of multiple countries.

Formerly known as the GIG-Group, Ajaere begins the interview by explaining the development of his company, “We've grown from a small transport company run out of just Benin, Asaba, and Lagos. And we have metamorphosed from just a transport company into a conglomerate, into a group company now called Greatman Legend. When I started managing this business, we had less than 120 employees and today we have over 5,000 employees across the group. Our businesses touch every state in Nigeria. We're in a few African countries. We also exist in the United States, in the United Kingdom, and in China as well. And we are growing very rapidly.”

When the company was starting out, Ajaere noticed that internet penetration was growing quickly in Nigeria and businesses were moving online. With a new digital format, Ajaere says, “I thought that it was important for us to build a local player that can compete globally using technology and the right customer experience. And then we started building out GIG Logistics to cater for that market.”

Ajaere tells CNN that this expansion revolved around building an EPR system called ‘Agility’, which, “Pretty much manages the customer facing app called the GIG app, which is on the App store and the iOS store, and customers are able to interact with our brand. From the comfort of your home, you can order for delivery services and our entire operation. Customers are able to track their products.” This means that GIG Group was able, “To offer merchants in Nigeria global exposure.”

Ajaere moves on to talk about the motivation and purpose behind his company, “Building world-class institutions that are globally competitive out of Nigeria was part of our driving force and at the heart of it was heavy investment in technology.”

He continues, “Technology drives our entire operation […]. All the customer wallets on the GIG Logistics application or the GIG passenger transportation, which is called GIG Mobility, are all powered by our banking or our fintech technology. Merchants are able to withdraw their money from their app powered by our own banking application. Customers are able to pay for their bus tickets using our fintech application.”

Ajaere emphasises that there are three key aspects to being a market leader in the logistic space: “Superior customer service, guarantee, and speed.”

Ajaere ends with a look into the future of the company, “GIG logistics is pretty much pushing to become a global player so that when you mention logistics or automobile like we're doing with Jet Motor Company, we want Nigeria to be represented in the global force or in the global enterprise space. Just like what we're doing in the entertainment industry with Afrobeats, we want to do that. We want to be part of the people who champion our enterprises to play globally and compete globally.”

This article is extracted from a recent episode of Marketplace Africa by CNN.

Marketplace Africa airs on CNN International at the following times:

Friday 31st January 2025, at 1845 WAT

Sunday 2nd February 2025 at 0545 WAT and 0845 WAT

Monday 3rd February at 0445 WAT