With rapidly evolving communication and delivery methods, modernizing postal services in Africa has become a necessity. Postal services must adapt to meet the changing needs of society, integrating digital solutions to stay relevant and effective in a fast-paced environment.

Burkina Faso introduced, on Tuesday, November 5th, new digita solutions aimed at enhancing postal and financial services. Presented by Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, Aminata Zerbo/Sabane (photo), they include Poste Money, a mobile app that enables users to send and receive money, make merchant payments, and manage accounts. Poste Money includes a semi-offline feature to support areas with limited connectivity.

The government also presented Cashless PDI, an application designed to ensure the secure and transparent distribution of aid funds directly to internally displaced persons (IDPs).

To improve core postal services, La Poste has introduced DBOX (Delivery Box), an automated mail distribution system that addresses the rising demand for fast, secure postal services. Additionally, self-service deposit machines will be installed, allowing customers to deposit funds independently.

Future projects include the launch of a Postal Electronic Messaging Box (BMEP) for professional and personal digital exchanges, and Poste Mobile, which aims to extend financial services to rural and remote areas.

These initiatives align with Burkina Faso’s national digitalization plan and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) guidelines, as the country seeks to modernize its postal services. The UPU’s 2023 Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD) currently rates Burkina Faso’s postal development at only two out of ten, underscoring the need for urgent modernization.

Samira Njoya