Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank Partner Haulmace 2026 To Unlock Efficiency In Haulage, Logistics
Alfred Okugbeni, Convener, HAULMACE
Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank Partner Haulmace 2026 To Unlock Efficiency In Haulage, Logistics
By Success Okezie
Nigeria’s haulage and logistics sector is set for a major transformation as three of the country’s largest financial institutions — Access Bank, First Bank and Zenith Bank — have partnered with HAULMACE 2026 to drive efficiency, cut operational waste and boost profitability across the industry.
The landmark partnership was announced ahead of the 2026 edition of the Haulage & Logistics Magazine Annual Conference and Exhibition, HAULMACE 2026, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at The Stable Event Center, 45 Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos.
Described as Nigeria’s biggest annual gathering for haulage and logistics stakeholders, HAULMACE 2026 is expected to attract hundreds of operators, fleet owners, manufacturers, cargo owners, logistics firms, technology providers, financiers and regulators for a full day of high-level dialogue, exhibition and business networking.
The conference, organised by Haulage & Logistics Magazine, will be held under the theme: *“Technology as an Enabler for More Efficient Haulage Operations: The Need for Industry Collaboration.”* Attendance is free for all stakeholders.
At a time when the sector — which moves over 90 percent of goods across Nigeria — is grappling with rising diesel costs, poor truck utilisation, empty return trips and fragmented operations, organisers say this year’s edition is deliberately focused on practical, implementable solutions that can deliver immediate impact.
According to the organisers, the alliance with Access Bank, First Bank and Zenith Bank is strategic and timely, as access to finance remains critical to enabling technology adoption, fleet modernisation and deployment of smarter logistics systems.
*Industry-Wide Dialogue For Practical Solutions*
HAULMACE 2026 will bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders — haulage operators, fleet owners, manufacturers, logistics and supply chain companies, telematics and tracking firms, insurers, financial institutions, regulators and policymakers — to interrogate the challenges slowing down goods movement and to chart a new path for the industry.
The conference will feature a keynote address by Jean-Claude Homawoo, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lori Systems, the Pan-African e-logistics platform renowned for pioneering digital freight solutions across the continent.
Homawoo, whose company has been at the forefront of digitising cargo movement in Africa, is expected to share insights on how technology is reshaping haulage operations and what lessons Nigerian operators can adopt to improve efficiency and returns.
Also lined up is a robust panel discussion featuring operators who understand the pain points of the Nigerian market: Anuoluwapo Agboola, Chief Operating Officer of Dukeridges; Omotunde Adunbi Ogunbowale, Chief Executive Officer of Tripple A Logistics; and Oluwafemi Oladokun, Managing Director of Trucksoft Logistics – Telematics Services.
The panellists will provide deep, field-tested insights into the realities of running haulage businesses in Nigeria and explore how digital tools, data and strategic partnerships can unlock new efficiencies.
*Empty Trips Bleeding Operators — Okugbeni*
Speaking on the rationale for the theme, Convener of HAULMACE, Mr. Alfred Okugbeni, said the haulage industry has reached a tipping point where technology adoption and industry collaboration are no longer optional but imperative for survival.
“The challenges are clear — empty return trips, high operating costs, idle truck capacity and poor coordination between cargo owners and transporters. These issues erode margins, reduce competitiveness and limit the capacity of the sector to contribute optimally to national development,” Okugbeni said.
He explained that the phenomenon of empty return trips — where trucks deliver goods to a destination and return without cargo — remains one of the biggest sources of loss in the industry, leading to wasted capacity, lost revenue and avoidable operating costs.
Okugbeni stressed that the solution lies in closer cooperation among manufacturers, cargo owners, logistics providers, haulage operators and technology companies, supported by technology-driven tools such as digital freight-matching platforms, route optimisation, data sharing and modern fleet management systems.
“With the right digital platforms, a truck that delivered in Kano can be matched with cargo going back to Lagos before it even offloads. That is how we turn waste into wealth, reduce logistics costs for manufacturers and make haulage operations commercially sustainable,” he added.
According to him, HAULMACE 2026 will provide a veritable platform for stakeholders to examine how such innovations can improve vehicle utilisation, cut operating costs, maximise revenue and make haulage a more bankable business for financiers.
Beyond the knowledge sessions, the conference will also provide opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, share industry experiences, showcase innovations and establish business relationships that will support growth across the value chain.
The exhibition component will allow participating organisations to showcase trucks, tyres, lubricants, spare parts, telematics solutions, tracking technology, insurance and financial services.
Participants will equally have ample opportunities to network with industry professionals, explore potential business partnerships and gain first-hand insights into emerging technologies and new approaches to haulage and supply chain management.
HAULMACE has been organised annually since 2015 by Haulage & Logistics Magazine, Nigeria’s leading specialised publication for the haulage, logistics and transportation industry, with a mandate to promote industry dialogue, knowledge sharing, business networking and advocacy for a more efficient, profitable and globally competitive transport sector
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