Togo has proposed a four-year strategy to modernize its postal sector, promote competition and improve access to postal services nationwide. The plan, covering 2026-2029, was presented at a Cabinet meeting on November 6 by Cina Lawson, minister responsible for public service efficiency and digital transformation.
It sets out five priorities: digitizing postal operations, updating the regulatory framework, improving the quality and availability of postal services, broadening access to financial services through digital technology, and developing e-commerce and logistics.
The plan comes amid rising demand for delivery and logistics services driven by e-commerce, as postal operators adapt to an increasingly digital market.
The Cabinet gave the go-ahead for the policy to be submitted for formal adoption. The reforms also seek to address challenges facing efforts to modernize Société des postes du Togo (SPT), the country's public postal operator, and disparities in access to postal services. They include improving postal operators' ability to deliver services and updating regulations to reflect competition in the sector.
The initiative follows recent efforts to expand digital government services, including the addition of administrative procedures to the national Service Public platform. The expansion of online services also highlights the importance of accessible payment, shipping and delivery options nationwide.
Putting the strategy into practice will require infrastructure investment, better coordination among postal operators and faster deliveries. The policy also identifies postal services as a way to broaden access to financial services and improve competitiveness as e-commerce grows.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi