Media
Kampala Hosts 44th PAPU Administrative Council to Advance Africa’s Postal Transformation
Leaders from across Africa convened in Kampala for the 44th Ordinary Session of the Administrative Council of the Pan-African Postal Union, a key platform shaping the future of the continent’s postal sector. The session brings together Ministers, regulators, and industry leaders to guide the transformation of the postal sector to drive trade, logistics, and digital connectivity.
Opening the session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, welcomed delegates to Uganda and expressed pride in hosting Africa’s postal leadership at a time of significant change in the sector. She highlighted the critical role of the Administrative Council in guiding PAPU’s work between Plenipotentiary Conferences, ensuring coordination, continuity, and strategic direction.
Globally, the postal and courier sector remains a key pillar of trade, communication, and economic activity. The network processes hundreds of billions of items each year and supports millions of jobs, with the market valued at over 400 billion US dollars, largely driven by e-commerce growth.
This shift is redefining the sector. What was once centred on letter mail has evolved into logistics, e-commerce, and digital service platforms that support trade, financial inclusion, and last-mile delivery. Africa is part of this transformation. The continent’s postal networks handle over one billion items annually and continue to support small businesses, expand access to markets, and connect underserved communities.
Reflecting on this evolution, Dr. Zawedde noted that not long ago, some believed the postal service was becoming obsolete as letter writing declined. Today, however, the reality is different. As online shopping grows, people track deliveries in real time, expecting speed and reliability. The postal network has not disappeared. It has evolved into a system that connects digital transactions to physical delivery, sitting at the intersection of innovation and everyday service.
In Uganda, this transformation is being translated into practical systems. The Digital Transformation Roadmap positions the postal network as a foundation for last-mile service delivery, with post offices being developed into Citizen Service Centres that extend government services to communities, including those without reliable internet access.
The network also supports financial inclusion. Integrating digital payment platforms into the postal infrastructure creates access points for small businesses and farmers to participate in the formal economy.
Dr Zawedde emphasised that the postal system is now a strategic national asset that supports service delivery, logistics, and trade, particularly as Africa advances the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Assistant Secretary General of PAPU, Jessica Hope Ssengooba, welcomed delegates and highlighted the importance of the session in shaping the direction of Africa’s postal sector. She commended the progress made during the technical committee meetings and noted that the Administrative Council will now refine priorities and guide implementation.
She emphasised a shared vision of a modern, digitally enabled postal network that is resilient, innovative, and responsive to citizens' needs.
PAPU Secretary General, Dr Sifundo Chief Moyo, expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Uganda for hosting the session and reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and advancing modernisation across Member States. He highlighted the need to integrate emerging technologies such as track-and-trace systems, digital addressing, and data-driven logistics to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Uganda’s continued leadership within PAPU, including its representation through the office of the Assistant Secretary General, reflects the country’s commitment to advancing Africa’s postal development agenda and strengthening cooperation across the continent.
As discussions continue, delegates are expected to focus on practical steps to improve efficiency, support e-commerce, and strengthen cross-border logistics systems.
The outcomes of this session will contribute to building a more connected, inclusive, and resilient postal network for Africa’s digital future.
Opening the session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, welcomed delegates to Uganda and expressed pride in hosting Africa’s postal leadership at a time of significant change in the sector. She highlighted the critical role of the Administrative Council in guiding PAPU’s work between Plenipotentiary Conferences, ensuring coordination, continuity, and strategic direction.
Globally, the postal and courier sector remains a key pillar of trade, communication, and economic activity. The network processes hundreds of billions of items each year and supports millions of jobs, with the market valued at over 400 billion US dollars, largely driven by e-commerce growth.
This shift is redefining the sector. What was once centred on letter mail has evolved into logistics, e-commerce, and digital service platforms that support trade, financial inclusion, and last-mile delivery. Africa is part of this transformation. The continent’s postal networks handle over one billion items annually and continue to support small businesses, expand access to markets, and connect underserved communities.
Reflecting on this evolution, Dr. Zawedde noted that not long ago, some believed the postal service was becoming obsolete as letter writing declined. Today, however, the reality is different. As online shopping grows, people track deliveries in real time, expecting speed and reliability. The postal network has not disappeared. It has evolved into a system that connects digital transactions to physical delivery, sitting at the intersection of innovation and everyday service.
In Uganda, this transformation is being translated into practical systems. The Digital Transformation Roadmap positions the postal network as a foundation for last-mile service delivery, with post offices being developed into Citizen Service Centres that extend government services to communities, including those without reliable internet access.
The network also supports financial inclusion. Integrating digital payment platforms into the postal infrastructure creates access points for small businesses and farmers to participate in the formal economy.
Dr Zawedde emphasised that the postal system is now a strategic national asset that supports service delivery, logistics, and trade, particularly as Africa advances the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Assistant Secretary General of PAPU, Jessica Hope Ssengooba, welcomed delegates and highlighted the importance of the session in shaping the direction of Africa’s postal sector. She commended the progress made during the technical committee meetings and noted that the Administrative Council will now refine priorities and guide implementation.
She emphasised a shared vision of a modern, digitally enabled postal network that is resilient, innovative, and responsive to citizens' needs.
PAPU Secretary General, Dr Sifundo Chief Moyo, expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Uganda for hosting the session and reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and advancing modernisation across Member States. He highlighted the need to integrate emerging technologies such as track-and-trace systems, digital addressing, and data-driven logistics to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Uganda’s continued leadership within PAPU, including its representation through the office of the Assistant Secretary General, reflects the country’s commitment to advancing Africa’s postal development agenda and strengthening cooperation across the continent.
As discussions continue, delegates are expected to focus on practical steps to improve efficiency, support e-commerce, and strengthen cross-border logistics systems.
The outcomes of this session will contribute to building a more connected, inclusive, and resilient postal network for Africa’s digital future.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
