Tanzania urges reforms to revitalise Africa’s postal services

ARUSHA: TANZANIA has called on member states of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) to embrace transformative strategies that will modernise the postal sector and better meet the evolving expectations of customers across the continent.

Speaking at the opening of the 43rd PAPU Administrative Council Plenary Session in Arusha on Tuesday, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nicholaus Mkapa, stressed the need for postal services to align with the fast-changing demands of users.

“The delivery of postal services must reflect the changing needs and aspirations of the public,” Mr Mkapa said.

He added: “I want to reaffirm Tanzania’s strong commitment to supporting the activities of PAPU. Your presence here today underscores our shared dedication to strengthening Africa’s postal and communication ecosystem for the benefit of our people.”

In his remarks during the same event, Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Dr Jabiri Bakari, called on PAPU member states to harness digital technologies to revitalise the postal sector and contribute to improving living standards across Africa.

Delivering Dr Bakari’s speech on his behalf, TCRA Postal Services Manager Ms Cecilia Mkoba said that regulations in the sector should be seen as facilitators rather than obstacles.

“Regulation is not a barrier; it is a bridge. Forwardlooking, effective regulation ensures fair competition, protects consumers and creates a framework for private sector participation alongside postal operators. We must align our postal laws with digital economy strategies and redefine the concept of ‘Universal Service Obligation’ to include digital connectivity and access to basic financial tools.” Dr Bakari stated.

He added that smart regulation can support entrepreneurship, enable small businesses to leverage postal logistics for e-commerce, formalise informal sectors and create new revenue streams for national postal services.

Dr Bakari underscored that innovation and modernisation are critical to the future of African postal services, which must be digital, automated and data-driven.

“To stay relevant and impactful, postal systems must embrace cutting-edge technologies from blockchain for secure transactions, to drones and electric vehicles for efficient last-mile delivery, to mobile applications that enable customers to track parcels, pay bills and access essential services such as digital identification,” he said.

“These innovations are not just upgrades; they are enablers of inclusion, efficiency and trust in a modern postal ecosystem.”

Founded on January 18, 1980, in Arusha, Tanzania, the Pan African Postal Union is a specialised agency of the African Union (AU) with the mandate to promote the development of postal services across the continent. Initially established with 35 member states, PAPU now boasts 45 members and played a key role during Africa’s liberation movements.

The 43rf PAPU Administrative Council Plenary Session brought together high-level officials including PAPU Administrative Council Chairperson Mr Abdelouahab Gbara, PAPU Secretary General Dr Sifundo Chief Moyo, Permanent Secretary and Chairperson of the Department of Posts, Government of India, Ms Vandita Kaul, Deputy Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Mr Marjan Oswald and PAPU Assistant Secretary General Mrs Jessica Hope Sengooba, among others.