African Union and Pan African Postal Union deepen cooperation on postal digital transformation
Date: 2026-02-16
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
African Union Commission (AUC) and the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) have
reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation aimed at accelerating
the digital transformation of Africa’s postal sector and enhancing its
contribution to Agenda 2063.
This
followed a bilateral meeting between H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, African Union
Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, and Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo,
Secretary General of the Pan African Postal Union.
During
the discussions, Dr. Moyo briefed the Commissioner on preparations for the 11th
PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference, scheduled to take place from March 25 to 27,
2026, in Uganda. He formally extended an invitation for the African Union
Commission to participate in the high-level gathering.
The
Secretary General also provided an update on the status of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the AUC and PAPU, emphasizing its significance in
formalising the specialised agency relationship outlined in the PAPU
Convention. Both parties underscored the importance of a structured
institutional framework to support coordinated implementation of continental
postal and digital initiatives.
Infrastructure
developments were also highlighted, including the operationalisation of the
newly commissioned PAPU Tower in Arusha, Tanzania. The facility now hosts the
General Secretariat and dedicated ICT capacity-building centres, positioning
PAPU to play a stronger role in supporting member states’ digital and postal
modernisation efforts.
The
meeting further explored the strategic role of the postal sector in advancing
financial inclusion and narrowing Africa’s digital divide. Discussions focused
on the “Smart Post Office” concept and the expansion of e-government services,
with both sides recognising the sector’s potential as a key enabler of
inclusive digital access across the continent.
