By Ogaga Ariemu
The Federal Government has unveiled the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) operational readiness for e-commerce to boost the operations of the postal sector across Africa.
The Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami unveiled the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) operational readiness for the e-commerce(ORE-3)- Startup Project workshop for Africa region on Tuesday in Abuja.
Pantami who was represented by a member of Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Mr Mainasara Abubakar, said the workshop was necessary due to the rapidly changing nature of the traditional mail business.
“The advent of the digital economy and the navigation of consumers’ demand among multiple communication channels are key factors changing the way Postal business is conducted.
“These, therefore, make innovation a critically important option for business survival and prosperity,” he said.
He said the postal service sector as a critical infrastructure had assumed a greater dimension with digitisation.
According to him, the post can contribute significantly to social and economic development, job creation and poverty reduction, provided that postal reforms carried out by governments are based on appropriate financial analysis.
In his address, the CEO of NIPOST/ Postmaster General of the Federation, Rt Hon. Adepoju Sunday, said the workshop was held to ensure that the African postal administration competes with other postal outfits worldwide.
Sunday also expressed gratitude for the support NIPOST has received from the UPU and Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) to host the workshop.
According to Sunday, “This workshop evaluates the operational readiness for e-commerce three and remuneration by African postal administrations.
“And to establish the need to take decisions and make policies that will accelerate positive reforms towards ital readiness for e-commerce.”
He also said digitalisation is changing supply chains and how customers buy online.
“These innovations are fostering considerable changes in posts’ strategic objectives by requiring them to reevaluate their predictability, transparency, security, and efficiency to meet new customer requirements.”
The representative of the DG of UPU, Mr Amadou Amadou said the workshop was borne out of the successful implementation of past regional operational efficiency and e-commerce projects 1 and 2.
He said the UPU will implement the operational efficiency and e-commerce project 3 during 2022 – 2025.
“The project aims to assist postal formations in modernizing their operational processes and using available IT standardised tools and last-mile delivery systems to implement functional solutions that meet regulatory and operational requirements.
“In this context, the UPU International Bureau has developed capacity building and technical assistance projects to coordinate and improve the digital capacity and capability of the post.
“The integrated approach of these projects aims to help postal administrations modernise digital tools and implement digital solutions, which meet e-commerce requirements,” he said.
According to him, successful implementation of the project will contribute to further growth of the e-commerce market by improving their last-mile delivery reliability and providing consumers with increased visibility.
“This is achievable through message exchanges and more customer-oriented solutions.
“The focus of the project will be on improving efficiency and e-commerce development hence the title of the project, Operational Efficiency and E-commerce Development,” he said.