The traditional postal service model has become obsolete with the rapid digital transformation in recent years. To remain competitive and adapt to this new landscape, Mali's postal service has embarked on a transformation and revitalization strategy.

Mali's postal service operator, La Poste du Mali, plans to launch "Post Wari," a digital financial services platform designed to diversify its operations. This initiative is part of the projects outlined by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Economy, and Administrative Modernization in Government News Bulletin No. 249, published on January 10th. The bulletin reviewed the accomplishments of 2024 and detailed the prospects for 2025.

The "Post Wari" platform will facilitate the issuance and management of electronic money, accessible via mobile (app and SMS) and web platforms (tablets and computers). The ministry stated that this platform is expected to become a one-stop payment gateway for government services in the medium term.

Through this initiative, La Poste du Mali aims to capitalize on the opportunities presented by digital technology amidst the growing adoption of mobile money services. According to the Malian Telecommunications, ICT, and Postal Regulatory Authority (AMRTP), the number of mobile money accounts in the country surged from 6.2 million in 2018 to 16.9 million in 2023—a 172.6% increase. The regulator also highlighted that financial inclusion leaped from 47% in 2016 to 72.3% in 2023, largely driven by mobile technology, which now accounts for 55.9% of financial inclusion efforts.

While "Post Wari" has been announced as part of the 2025 outlook, no further details have been provided regarding its launch date or the current stage of development. Furthermore, La Poste du Mali will face stiff competition in a market dominated by telecom operators like Orange. By the end of 2023, Orange Money had 13.1 million subscribers, commanding a 78% market share, according to official statistics.

 By Isaac K. Kassouwi

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji