Skip navigation and go to main content
In Africa, designated postal operators are emerging as innovators and engines of development. They face tremendous challenges. Due to a widespread lack of infrastructure, the average African post office serves an area nearly eight times the global average, but with scarce resources; home delivery rates remain low. Many countries also lack effective postal market regulations and enforcement capabilities.
During the current work cycle under the Doha Postal Strategy, two priorities for Africa are at the forefront: improving quality of service, both internationally and domestically, while promoting the use of the UPU’s Quality of Service Fund; and stimulating the growth of designated operators through e-commerce development.
Designated operators are working to implement projects linked to these and other priorities with various stakeholders, including restricted unions. In so doing, they are striving to become increasingly efficient and technology-enhanced enterprises serving as vectors of regional growth.
Kenya is ready to kick off preparations to launch an e-commerce hub for East Africa, bringing together the region’s national Posts.
Posts from Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal are among several African operators that have committed to developing national action plans targeting e-commerce growth after a recent workshop at the UPU’s International Bureau.
At the Africa regional strategy conference, national postal stakeholders, such as governments and public postal operators, have agreed that operational efficiency and developing e-commerce solutions are top priorities.