TZ rallies PAPU to embrace postal sector

ARUSHA: THE government has urged experts and stakeholders in the postal and communication sector under the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) to embrace transformation to sustain the industry and meet the evolving expectations of their customers.

The call was made by Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nicholaus Mkapa, while officiating the opening of the 43rd PAPU Administrative Council Plenary held in Arusha recently.

Mr Mkapa observed that the sector is undergoing rapid changes due to shifting customer preferences and expectations in accessing postal and communication services.

“Your presence here today reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Africa’s postal and communication ecosystem for the benefit of our people,” he stated.

He stressed the need for the session to address key issues such as modernisation, digital transformation, financial inclusion, e-commerce, last-mile delivery and the evolving role of postal services in national development.

According to him, the global shift toward digital economies, smart technologies and integrated markets is compelling postal operators to redefine their roles not just as mail carriers, but as facilitators of trade, connectivity, financial inclusion and inclusive socio-economic development.

He called on PAPU and its member states to embrace that transformative agenda with clear vision and determination.

“We see the Union as a vital platform for policy harmonisation, knowledge exchange and capacity building among African postal administrations. We believe the outcomes of this session will align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) 2026–2029 Global Strategy,” he added.

ALSO READ: VP attends key financing summit in Spain

PAPU Secretary General, Dr Sifundo Moyo, noted that, like other sectors such as manufacturing, retail, telecommunications, tourism and energy, the postal sector is also undergoing massive transformation driven by the opportunities and challenges of the digital age.

“Once considered an analog relic, the post is reinventing itself as an enabler of e-commerce, a gateway to financial inclusion, a provider of government services and a trusted presence in communities often left behind by the digital revolution,” he said.

Dr Moyo highlighted findings from a recent PAPU survey, which revealed that the implementation rate of digitalisation across Africa remains low and concerning.

“We must translate leadership and policy intentions into actionable transformation,” he urged.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Ms Cecilia Mkoba stressed the need for postal services to adopt emerging technologies from blockchain for secure transactions to drones and electric vehicles for efficient last-mile delivery. She added that mobile applications that allow customers to track parcels, pay bills and access services such as digital IDs are essential for modern postal operations.

“These innovations are more than just upgrades; they are essential enablers of inclusion, efficiency and trust in a modern postal ecosystem. Innovation and modernisation go hand in hand. The future of the African post is digital, automated and data-driven,” she said.

Deputy Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), Mr Marjan Oswald, stressed the importance of a unified African voice in shaping the future of the global postal sector.