By Naome Namusoke/ KMA Updates
Arusha, Tanzania: In a significant step toward enhancing regional integration and unlocking the potential of Africa’s digital economy, the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) and the East African Business Council (EABC) have today signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in advancing digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, financial inclusion, and efficient logistics across East Africa.
The MoU was formally signed by Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, Secretary General of PAPU, and Mr. Adrian Raphael Njau, Acting Executive Director of EABC, at PAPU Headquarters in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
The partnership reflects the two organizations’ joint commitment to leveraging digital innovation and integrated logistics to empower businesses, especially under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This partnership marks a new chapter in leveraging postal networks and private sector collaboration to unlock the potential of Africa’s growing digital economy as well as facilitating customers meet the market,”said Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, Secretary General of PAPU.
“This MoU is a powerful step towards integrating postal and business ecosystems to better serve SMEs, youth, and women-led enterprises to trade via e-commerce across the continent,” added Mr. Adrian Raphael Njau, Acting Executive Director of EABC.
Mr. Njau also called on EAC Partner States to step up efforts in tackling barriers that hinder the growth of digital trade and e-commerce, citing key issues such as:
- Cybersecurity threats
- Data protection and privacy concerns
- Regulatory and compliance bottlenecks
- Infrastructure and connectivity limitations
“Addressing these challenges is critical to creating a secure and seamless digital trade environment for businesses across the region,” Njau emphasized.
The MoU outlines key areas of joint action between PAPU and EABC, including the promotion of cross-border e-commerce and logistics solutions, capacity building for SMEs and postal operators in digital trade and financial inclusion, policy advocacy to remove trade barriers and strengthen last-mile delivery, co-hosting of forums like the EAC E-Commerce Stakeholders Roundtables, and support for the development and rollout of GovTech and e-commerce platforms to enhance service delivery.
With the AfCFTA creating a single African market of 1.4 billion people and a GDP of over $3.4 trillion, digital trade is seen as a critical engine of inclusive economic growth. This MoU aims to ensure that SMEs, youth, and women-led enterprises are not left behind as the continent moves toward a more integrated and tech-driven economy.
By merging PAPU’s extensive postal network with EABC’s deep-rooted private sector engagement, this partnership is expected to build a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive African trade environment.