From Click to Doorstep: Optimising Last-Mile Delivery with GIS

80% of South African shoppers reported that they would walk away if delivery options don’t meet expectations. In this environment, the accuracy of a single address can make or break profitability. For logistics companies operating on notoriously low margins, every failed delivery or re-attempt translates directly into lost revenue.

The challenge in South Africa is real. There is no unified National Address Database, suburbs have multiple names, informal settlements lack formal street numbering, and digital literacy barriers lead to incomplete or inconsistent address capture. Major e-commerce players face failed deliveries, costly re-attempts, delayed customer satisfaction, and eroded trust, which all impact the bottom line.

At AfriGIS, we solve this problem with validated geospatial intelligence. By providing accurate, standardised, and deliverable addresses, we ensure that e-commerce platforms can optimise delivery routes, reduce fuel and labour costs, improve first-time delivery success, and enhance customer experience. It all comes down to precision. Accurate addresses enable companies to streamline operations, maintain predictable profit margins, and build consumer confidence. After all, 86% of South Africans say they won’t buy from a retailer they don’t trust to deliver properly.

Logistics is a low-margin sport. Every delivery includes costs from sorting facilities, warehouses, software, and transport. When deliveries fail because an address is incorrect, every step in that process suffers, from the financial department to customer satisfaction. By standardising addresses, AfriGIS ensures that parcels reach the right location the first time, eliminates costly return trips, and secures operational efficiency. Sorting systems, scanners, and routing software all rely on accurate addresses. When an address is correct at the point of capture, human error is minimised, first-time delivery success is maximised, and deliveries arrive safely and timely.

The granularity of geospatial data is also critical. Confidence levels allow logistics operators to plan according to precision: a confidence level one address corresponds to an exact location; level two refers to the property; level three to a street corner. This matters for healthcare deliveries, high-value parcels, and time-sensitive logistics. In gated communities, high-density residential areas, or informal settlements, contextual insights about access control, commercial zoning, and delivery risk ensure that operational planning accounts for every obstacle along the route.

Beyond addressing challenges within South Africa, geospatial intelligence enables logistics across Africa. Even where formal addressing systems are incomplete, AfriGIS provides location data down to the nearest village or hamlet, allowing cross-border logistics to function with much greater precision. This improves route planning, enhances customer reach, and expands market potential.

The financial benefits of accurate geospatial data are clear. In one case, a logistics client losing millions monthly due to failed deliveries saw first-time delivery success rise to 93% within two years simply by implementing AfriGIS address validation. No new vehicles or major operational overhauls were required just reliable, actionable location intelligence. By solving for the first and last mile, AfriGIS removes uncertainty, mitigates risk, and maximises fleet efficiency.

Our platform today includes over 53 million searchable addresses and active business names, covering everything from street numbers and units to farms and informal settlements. This depth of coverage not only ensures accurate delivery but also opens up previously inaccessible markets, allowing businesses to reach more customers than ever before.

In South Africa’s competitive logistics landscape, geospatial intelligence is no longer optional, it’s foundational. By integrating validated, Africa-specific location data into operations, logistics providers can optimise routes, reduce operational costs, improve customer satisfaction, and unlock new commercial opportunities. Precision at every step turns the complexity of South African geography into a competitive advantage and sets a new standard for delivery excellence.