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Export to Africa, choose your product and compliance first:

Successful exports start with a tight product and standards fit:

• Narrow your offer. Pick one or two SKUs or a bundled solution that solves an obvious pain, for example solar cold rooms or light gauge steel classrooms.
• Define HS codes and standards. Confirm HS codes, then list required standards per destination. For Nigeria, check SON regulated list. For Kenya, check KEBS standards and PVoC scope.
• Labeling and documentation. Prepare compliant labels, user manuals, and warranty terms. Align voltage, plug types, safety markings, language, and units. Keep a technical file for audits.
• Pre approvals. For regulated products, secure conformity certificates before shipment. Nigeria uses SONCAP, Kenya uses PVoC Certificate of Conformity for many categories.

Sourcing from Turkey and Asia, build a reliable shortlist:

Good suppliers make exports smooth Use both desk research and factory validation.

• Discovery channels. Turkey, use sector associations and exporter unions in Istanbul and Anatolian industrial zones. China, use Canton Fair, CCPIT directories, and factory clusters in the Pearl River Delta.
• First filter. Company registration, export license, ISO 9001, product test reports, recent shipments to Africa, average lead times, MOQ.
• Samples. Approve a golden sample with signed specs and a measurement report. For MEP and safety critical parts, add third party lab tests.
• Pilot terms. Start with clear Incoterms, inspection plan, and milestones. Use FCA or FOB for simplicity at the start.
• Price realism. Request full cost breakdowns, including tooling, packaging, inland trucking, and test fees. Compare Turkey versus China by landed cost, not unit price.

Contracts, Incoterms, and payments for Africa routes Codify the business, so there are no surprises at the port.

• Master supply agreement. Add product annexes, quality SLAs, defect rate caps, replacement timelines, IP and confidentiality, and governing law.
• Incoterms. For new runs, use FCA or FOB for sea freight, or CIP for air. Move to DDP only after you master local taxes and last mile.
• Payments. For new suppliers, use letters of credit or 20, 60, 20 milestones tied to inspection and shipment. Shift to net 30 or 60 after three on time deliveries.
• Currency risk. Quote in USD where possible. If you buy in CNY or TRY and sell in NGN or KES, add a 5 to 10 percent FX buffer or hedge large orders.