Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
Post Service administrators in the sub-region have been encouraged to take advantage of their wide distribution networks and maximize their role as front office for government services and wider financial services.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications, who made the call while speaking at the West African Postal Conference yesterday in Accra on the theme: “Enhancing Regional Integration Through Digitisation: The Role Of The Posts”.
She added that from the largest post offices in urban cities to rural outposts, post offices provide an essential interface for citizens and are part of the fabric of many communities.
“Looking to the future and the implementation of more sustainable business delivery models post offices can increase revenue through the provision of financial services including personal loans, credit cards, savings and insurance products.”
She also said with the right investment in Information Communication Technology (ICT), human resourcing and infrastructure, effective regional integration, enabling policies and regulations, postal services across the region could effectively navigate the digital transformation and not only survive in the emerging e-Commerce driven landscape, but thrive by continually innovating.
“In 2016, the global Digital Economy was worth $11.5 trillion or 15.5% of the world’s GDP and McKinsey estimates that the internet could contribute $300 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025. The Digital Revolution is a phenomenal opportunity for Africa and the ECOWAS region.”
The minister said Africa had leapfrogged the rest of the world to become a mobile first market and as internet penetration increases and consumers become increasingly comfortable with purchasing online, the African e-Commerce market is projected to reach between $50 billion and $75 billion per year within the next 5 to 10 years according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.
“With extensive national networks and experience in last mile delivery, postal services have a unique opportunity to partner in this e-Commerce revolution and create new revenue streams,” she declared, adding that exponential technologies such as Internet of Things, block chain, cloud computing, 3D printing, big data and drones could play an increasingly significant role in the postal sector.”
By Samuel Boadi