Startup: Federal Govt Launches UPU Operational Readiness For e-commerce

The federal government has launched the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) operational readiness for e-commerce to improve the operations of the postal sector across Africa for effective Startup businesses.

The minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami unveiled the UPU operational readiness for the e-commerce(ORE-3)- Startup Project workshop for Africa region in Abuja on Tuesday.

Represented by a member of Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Mr Mainasara Abubakar,  the Minister said it has become imperative to hold the workshop following 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.

According to Pantami, the postal service sector  has become a critical infrastructure  because of digitization, adding  that 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, Hon Adepoju Sunday, said the workshop was organized to improve  the African postal administration to compete with other postal outfits around the world.

The NIPOST boss also lauded the support NIPOST has received from the UPU and Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) to host the workshop.

He said  “This workshop evaluates the operational readiness for e-commerce 3 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 explained that  digitalization 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,” he said.

The representative of the director general of UPU, Mr Amadou Amadou said the workshop was predicated on  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 modernising 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 modernize 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.