Speaking at the opening of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Technical Committee meetings in Uganda, Nyombi said the traditional postal model centered on letter delivery is no longer sufficient in a world increasingly driven by online trade and digital services.
“The postal sector is no longer just about letters; it is a $400 billion global engine driving the e-commerce revolution,” Nyombi said.
“As we sit at the crossroads of digital transformation, our mission is clear: to evolve African postal networks into modern logistics and digital service platforms.”
Nyombi noted that the global postal network employs over five million people and remains a crucial backbone of “last-mile” connectivity, linking businesses and consumers even in remote areas. However, he cautioned that African postal systems must adapt quickly to remain competitive in the changing global economy.
According to Nyombi, the sector must expand beyond traditional mail delivery to include logistics services, financial services, and digital platforms that support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“We are redefining posts as e-commerce hubs and financial service providers to support our SMEs,” he said. “This transformation is necessary if the sector is to remain relevant in a rapidly digitizing economy.”
Nyombi made the remarks while welcoming postal leaders and technical experts from across the continent attending the PAPU Technical Committee meetings.
The gathering brings together policymakers and industry specialists tasked with shaping the technical agenda for postal development in Africa.
He said the deliberations will help lay the technical foundation for the upcoming PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference, where member states are expected to adopt policies and strategies guiding the future of postal services across the continent.
Nyombi also emphasised that Africa’s postal networks must strengthen cross-border logistics systems to support growing regional trade and online commerce. Efficient delivery networks, he said, are becoming increasingly essential as businesses seek to reach customers across national borders.
The meetings, organised under the Pan African Postal Union, a specialized agency of the African Union, focus on modernizing postal infrastructure, strengthening digital systems, and improving service delivery to support e-commerce growth and financial inclusion.
Nyombi highlighted Uganda’s growing role in global postal governance. The country currently serves on the Council of Administration of the Universal Postal Union, the United Nations agency coordinating international postal policies, and holds the position of Assistant Secretary General at the Pan African Postal Union—a role reflecting Uganda’s commitment to regional cooperation and innovation in communications and logistics.
“Uganda remains committed to regional integration and innovation,” he said, adding that the country will continue supporting initiatives that strengthen collaboration among African postal administrations.
Industry experts attending the meetings said Africa’s postal systems have significant potential to drive economic growth if properly modernized.
With the rapid rise of online shopping worldwide, strong delivery networks are critical to enabling businesses, particularly SMEs, to participate in the digital economy.
Modern postal networks, experts said, can also help bridge the digital divide by offering services such as digital identity verification, e-commerce platforms, and financial services to communities underserved by banks and technology providers.
Nyombi stressed that cooperation among African countries will be key to unlocking these opportunities and ensuring the continent’s postal networks remain globally competitive.
“Together, we are building a more connected, digital, and prosperous Africa,” he said.