Postal Corporation set for digital transformation with new national addressing system

Anita Omwenga-KNA

The Government is taking deliberate steps to revitalize the Postal Corporation of Kenya to boost public service delivery.

Information, Communications and the Digital Economy CS William Kabogo said the re-orientation of Postal Corporation of Kenya to the digital age is centered on the government's conviction of the central role of the postal sector in connecting communities.

In a speech read on his behalf by Principal Secretary, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke, during the opening of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Africa Postal Leaders Forum in Nairobi, the CS said the government has developed the National Addressing System and the supporting policy and legal instruments to re-orient Posta for last-mile delivery and e-commerce.  

“As I speak, the draft National Addressing System Standards, Policy and Bill are awaiting consideration in Parliament,” he said, adding that once enacted, the instruments would usher in a golden era for the Posta, particularly in e-commerce and last mile delivery. 

He said in addition to being logistics hubs, the centres have revolutionized public service delivery by offering citizens access to government services, making post offices one-stop centres for rural communities. 

 “Our post offices are not just in the business of delivering mail. They are in the literal sense, ‘Huduma’ (service) centres,” said Kabogo, adding that they are offering access to government services for rural communities, alongside their traditional logistics functions.

“As part of our digital transformation agenda, the government, through the Universal Service Fund, is rolling out digital hubs in postal outlets in remote and unserved areas to transform post offices into centres of opportunity, innovation and inclusion,” he said.

Additionally, the CS said that the government is implementing the Kenya National E-commerce Strategy to enable the country to bolster its position as a digital frontrunner in Africa.

Kabogo said the strategy would facilitate an inclusive and widespread utilization of trusted and secure e-commerce services in the country.

“The strategy’s focus areas are enhancement of digital trade infrastructure, promoting trust and consumer protection in online trade, and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises,” he said.

To ensure that sector laws facilitate the continued growth of Posta, the PS said the ICT Ministry is spearheading the review of the Postal and ICT sector laws to align with technological and market trends.

To this end, he divulged that the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill 2025 has been submitted to Parliament for consideration.

“Legal reform will facilitate the ICT sector regulator - the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to bring new and emerging services in the postal and e-commerce sub-market under its regulatory ambit,” he added.

UPU research shows that well optimized postal services could contribute close to seven per cent to a country’s GDP, a target that is within reach of all postal administrations within the African region.

A 2023 report indicated that the African postal industry processed over 1.2 billion items, a testament to the endurance and relevance of the sector, driven by accelerated digital transformation across the continent. 

The CS lauded the support of the International Bureau (IB) of the UPU for its continued support to Kenya’s efforts to modernize the post services including technical and financial assistance to the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK).

“Most recently, the IB of the UPU has agreed to support the Postal Corporation of Kenya to enhance its capacity in the provision of Post4Health services to the tune of 150,000 Swiss Francs (Approx. Sh23.6 million),” he said.

The CS called on the African region to harmonize its ICT policies to strengthen cross-border postal networks, share best practices, forge partnerships with tech firms, and commit to sustainability by ensuring our postal systems are green and resilient. 

The two-day forum hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya represented a critical step towards revitalizing and transforming postal services in Africa into dynamic engines for inclusive socio-economic development.