By: Kanto Kai Okanta
The Communications
Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) has convened the First
Ordinary Meeting of its Postal Committee for the 2026/27 financial year in
Gaborone, Botswana, bringing together postal regulators from across the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) to strengthen regional
cooperation and guide the future of the postal sector.
The three-day meeting is
focused on advancing regulatory collaboration and supporting the implementation
of the SADC Postal Strategy 2026–2030, which aims to modernise postal services
and promote a secure, resilient and sustainable postal ecosystem across the
region.
Participants are reviewing
the Committee's 2026/27 Operational Plan to ensure it aligns with the strategic
priorities of the newly approved SADC Postal Strategy while identifying
practical measures to accelerate implementation and enhance cooperation among
member states.
Key discussions are centred
on postal data governance and protection, cross-border postal security,
regulatory harmonisation, capacity building and initiatives to foster
innovation within the postal sector.
The meeting is also
considering the establishment of specialised working groups to promote
knowledge sharing and develop coordinated regional responses to emerging
opportunities and challenges affecting postal services.
CRASA said the committee's
work is intended to strengthen regulatory frameworks and improve collaboration
among postal authorities to support efficient, secure and future-ready postal
services across the SADC region.
The association reaffirmed
its commitment to promoting regional cooperation and supporting policies that
enable the postal sector to meet the evolving needs of citizens, businesses and
governments while contributing to regional economic integration.
