African Business, Postal Bodies Partner to Drive Digital Trade, Cross-border Logistics

Addis Ababa, August 29, 2025 (ENA) – The Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) and the East African Business Council (EABC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, financial inclusion, and efficient logistics across the African continent.

The agreement was signed at PAPU headquarters in Arusha, northern Tanzania, by PAPU Secretary General Sifundo Chief Moyo and EABC Acting Executive Director Adrian Raphael Njau.

The partnership seeks to leverage opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area, which encompasses a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined gross domestic product exceeding 3.4 trillion U.S. dollars, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the EABC.

"This partnership marks a new chapter in leveraging postal networks and private sector collaboration to unlock the potential of Africa's digital economy," said Moyo.

For his part, Njau said the MoU will facilitate integration between postal and business ecosystems, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), youth, and women-led businesses to engage in e-commerce across borders.

He called on East African Community member states to address key challenges affecting digital trade, including cybersecurity threats, data protection, regulatory constraints, and infrastructure gaps.

Areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU include the promotion of cross-border e-commerce and logistics solutions, capacity building for SMEs and postal operators, advocacy for the removal of trade barriers, joint organization of regional e-commerce forums, and support for innovative government technology (GovTech) and digital platforms, according to Xinhua.