EAC states urged to strengthen digital postal services

ARUSHA: DEPUTY Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr Switbert Mkama has urged East African Community (EAC) partner states to strengthen digital systems, transport networks and regional cooperation to facilitate e-commerce and improve postal services.

Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the Fifth East Africa Postal and Logistics Forum in Arusha, Dr Mkama said the growth of online businesses required efficient postal systems, accessible payment services, transparent costs and reliable delivery of goods.

He said postal services should be accessible to all citizens, including those in rural areas, calling on Partner States to improve infrastructure, establish interoperable payment and delivery systems and harmonise technological standards and professional training.

“Postal service networks reach different communities across the region, including rural and underserved areas, making them an important foundation for promoting e-commerce and enabling citizens to participate in the digital economy,” he said.

Dr Mkama also emphasised the importance of strengthening the Address and Postcode System (APM), saying accurate addresses were essential for efficient parcel delivery, route planning and the provision of services.

He said Tanzania’s experience in implementing the system demonstrated how identifying residential addresses could improve postal operations and other services dependent on logistics.

He urged governments and regulators to create an enabling environment for innovation and investment while protecting consumer rights, promoting fair competition and ensuring the security and reliability of digital services.

Representing the Director General of the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), Dr Peter Kihogo said the fund continued to support reforms in Tanzania’s postal sector through investments in communication infrastructure, digital equipment and services in rural and underserved areas.

He said that since its establishment in 2006, UCSAF had helped expand access to communication services, supporting e-commerce and improving postal access.

By June 2026, fourthgeneration (4G) mobile network coverage had reached 94 per cent of the population, he said, noting that improved connectivity was essential for digital services and parcel delivery.

Dr Kihogo said UCSAF had distributed more than 500 handheld digital devices, known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), to improve parcel delivery and the transfer of customer information into postal systems.

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The fund had also provided 100 computers to improve postal operations in rural areas and 50 handheld document-copying machines to enhance front-desk services.

During the 2026/2027 financial year, UCSAF planned to construct 31 rural post office buildings to improve access to postal services in underserved communities.

The fund was also assessing the costs incurred by Tanzania Posts Corporation in providing universal postal services to advise the government on strengthening nationwide service delivery.

It was preparing a preliminary study on postal services and parcel delivery to guide future planning and investment.

Dr Kihogo said cooperation among UCSAF, postal and parcel delivery operators, telecommunications providers and other stakeholders was vital to bridging connectivity gaps and strengthening e-commerce and logistics across East Africa.

Meanwhile, Arumeru District Commissioner Neema Lugangira, representing Arusha Regional Commissioner Amos Makalla, said Arusha Region had been proposed as a pilot area for introducing and strengthening digital postal services.

She said the initiative aimed to transform post offices into modern service hubs connecting citizens and businesses to e-commerce, digital payments, e-government s ervices and modern logistics solutions.

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