Delegates from across the continent have started arriving in Kampala ahead of the 11th Ordinary Session of the Plenipotentiary Conference of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU), a major continental meeting expected to discuss the future of Africa’s postal and courier sector.
The conference will take place from March 16 to 28, 2026, bringing together postal regulators, operators, policymakers, and industry experts to explore how digital technology can transform postal services across Africa.
The event is being hosted in Uganda with support from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the country’s regulator for the communications sector.
Focus on digital transformation
Held under the theme “Leveraging Digital Technology & Innovation to Create a Smart Postal Sector in Africa,” the conference will examine how postal systems can evolve to support e-commerce, logistics services, financial inclusion, and cross-border trade.
According to UCC spokesperson Ibrahim Bbosa, the gathering comes at a time when postal services are undergoing rapid change due to the rise of digital technology and online commerce.
“The country has a digital transformation roadmap for 2040 and we also have some requirements under the national government plan to drive digital inclusion in the country,” Bbosa said.
Postal services evolving beyond letters
Bbosa explained that postal services today go far beyond traditional letter delivery and are now heavily involved in parcel delivery and logistics systems that support modern trade.
“Post today has ceased to be about just letter delivery. Post today is also a lot to do about parcels to facilitate trade,” he said.
He gave examples of everyday online orders, noting that modern postal systems must ensure that items ordered online reach customers efficiently.
“If you ordered something online — whether it is food, a book, or another item — it needs to be able to reach your address,” Bbosa added.
Importance of tracking and digital systems
Modern logistics systems now rely heavily on digital tracking technology, which allows customers to monitor deliveries in real time.
“That item has to be tracked today given the current standard. I should be able to order and know it has left, whether it is midway, or whether it has already arrived,” Bbosa explained.
He emphasized that digitization is essential for the success of the postal and courier sector, particularly as African economies increasingly rely on online commerce.
Uganda positioning itself as a learning hub
The conference will also serve as a platform for African countries to share experiences and best practices in postal sector regulation and innovation.
According to Bbosa, several countries have already visited Uganda to study its progress in modernizing postal services, particularly systems that allow tracking parcels from their point of origin to delivery.
“Many countries have been coming to Uganda to benchmark,” he said. “There are some interesting things happening, such as tracking parcels from the point of origin to the time of delivery.”
Challenges remain
Despite these advancements, Bbosa acknowledged that infrastructure limitations remain a challenge for many developing countries trying to modernize postal systems.
“But amidst all these, there are usually third-world infrastructure challenges for you to be able to reach that level,” he said.
Expected outcomes of the conference
Organizers say the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference is expected to produce policy decisions and strategic frameworks aimed at strengthening cooperation among African countries.
The outcomes are expected to guide efforts to modernize postal and courier services across the continent as Africa adapts to the growing digital economy and e-commerce sector.
