PAPU Administrative Council convenes in Kampala to drive postal sector transformation across Africa

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The 44th Ordinary Session of the Administrative Council of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) has officially opened during the 11th Plenipotentiary Conference in Kampala, Uganda, bringing together ministers, regulators, and industry leaders from across the continent.

The session is focused on advancing the transformation of Africa’s postal sector into a critical enabler of the continent’s digital future, as stakeholders explore strategies to modernize infrastructure, expand service delivery, and strengthen the role of postal networks in national development.

Delivering the keynote address, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, formally declared the session open and underscored the importance of the Administrative Council in shaping the direction of the sector.

She highlighted Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, which positions the postal network as a central pillar in delivering inclusive and accessible public services. According to her, post offices are being reimagined into Citizen Service Centres to support last-mile e-government service delivery, ensuring that underserved and rural communities are not left behind in the digital transition.

Dr. Zawedde also emphasized the role of postal systems in promoting financial inclusion, noting that the integration of digital payment platforms within postal networks can empower small and medium-sized enterprises as well as smallholder farmers to actively participate in the formal economy.

She stressed that the postal sector is evolving beyond its traditional role and should now be viewed as a strategic national asset capable of driving service delivery, logistics, and trade across the continent.

The discussions come at a time when African countries are intensifying efforts to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with efficient and modernized postal systems expected to play a key role in facilitating cross-border commerce and economic integration.