The "last mile" refers to the final stage of a parcel's journey: from the distribution warehouse to the recipient's door. It is the most expensive, most complex and most visible phase for the end customer. In Algeria, it poses specific challenges that call for a tailored strategy.

1. What is the last mile?

Despite its name, the "last mile" can actually mean dozens of kilometres in rural Algeria. It is nevertheless the final logistics stage, the one that determines:

  • The customer experience (punctuality, contact with the courier, condition of the parcel).
  • The operating cost (50 to 70% of the total delivery cost according to studies).
  • The first-attempt success rate (successful delivery on the first try).

2. Challenges specific to Algeria

Algeria combines a set of factors that make the last mile particularly complex:

  • Incomplete addressing: in many cities, addresses are not standardised. Couriers rely on local landmarks ("opposite the mosque", "behind the high school").
  • Urban sprawl: Algiers, Oran, Constantine and other major cities are experiencing strong suburban growth, with areas that are hard to plan for.
  • Traffic congestion: traffic jams lengthen routes and reduce the number of deliveries per courier.
  • Cash on delivery: the widespread use of COD multiplies interactions (giving change, checking, sometimes refusals).
  • Nobody at home: unlike markets where remote work is common, many recipients are away during the day.
Did you know? A courier in Algeria makes an average of 25 to 40 deliveries a day in dense urban areas, compared with 80 to 120 in countries where addresses are standardised and online payment is the norm.

3. Solutions to optimise the last mile

To meet these challenges, several levers can improve performance:

Prior confirmation

Contacting the recipient before delivery (SMS, call) to confirm they will be there and refine the address is one of the most effective actions. It reduces failed deliveries by 20 to 30%.

Route optimisation

Route optimisation software takes into account real-time traffic, delivery windows and each courier's constraints to maximise the number of successful deliveries per day.

Pickup points and lockers

Developing pickup points (partner shops, accessible depots) lets recipients collect their parcel whenever it suits them. It is an effective alternative for reducing failed home deliveries.

Tracking and proactive communication

Keeping the recipient informed in real time about their delivery (shipping notification, approximate time slot, arrival notification) reduces missed deliveries and improves satisfaction.

4. The future of the last mile in Algeria

The innovations transforming this sector worldwide are starting to emerge in Algeria:

  • Advanced geolocation: precise address identification using GPS coordinates shared by the customer.
  • Time-slot delivery: letting customers choose their slot reduces missed deliveries and improves the experience.
  • Urban micro-hubs: local depots (in-city warehouses) to shorten last-mile distances.
  • Crowdsourced logistics: delivery by private individuals for certain types of parcels (still emerging in Algeria).

Rally Logistique continuously invests in improving its last-mile delivery processes, with advanced tracking tools and a fleet of trained couriers. Discover our urban delivery solutions or contact us for a tailored partnership.