The document discusses how postal networks can harness technology to improve services like speed, access, and financial inclusion. It argues the postal service can integrate the financial, electronic, and physical domains by investing in technologies that provide 24/7 access through multiple channels. This would allow the postal service to offer affordable agency banking services, partner with money transfer companies, and provide information centers in rural areas. However, factors like low technology adoption and lack of integration limit the postal service. The document concludes the postal service should champion innovation to fully leverage technology and partnerships for growth.

1. Technology as an enabler of a more
competitive Postal environment.
Presented by Dr. D. Zimbango, MD
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2. 2
Knowing what we know now and given
current technological advances, the
extensive postal networks can harness
technology to recreate the post so as to
dramatically improve contemporary
measures such as speed of service, 24/7
multi channel access and financial
inclusion.
INTRODUCTION

3. BACKGROUND
3
• All services previously offered by the Post are
now being offered more efficiently by
competition using technology e.g.
• Letters- email, hybrid mail
• Money transfer -electronic money transfers
and e-money, mobile money.
• Only route for the post to compete with new
service offerings is to harness technology.
• Africa has over 30 million people in the
diaspora
• $40 billion remitted annually according to
year 2014 statistics.

4. BACKGROUND (cont’d)
4
• Zimbabwe received $361 million (7.2% of
GDP)
• S.A-$1 489bn (0.6%)
• Nigeria received $5.397bn (4.7%).
• Ecocash (mobile money) in Zimbabwe has
over 1 million active accounts, more than all
formal banks combined.
• Direct impact on 53% of the population.
• The other two have 300 000 mobile money
subscribers.
.

5. 5
• The Post Office has not been able to
break into this market because of
lack of or limited technology.
• UPU developed systems do not
integrate well with other
technologies e.g IFS with cellphones
and bank ATMs to enable the Post to
act as an agent without limitations.
BACKGROUND (continued)

6. 6
• 40% of the population is still unbanked
but away from formal institutions
• formal remittance business in Africa is
controlled by a few players who, by
their monopolistic nature, are
expensive leading to high levels of
informality.
TECHNOLOGY BASED
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE POST

7. 7

8. 8
• There is no competing physical
networks especially in outlying areas.
• Offering Gvt. Business on electronic
platforms to woo clients.
• A huge unserved market as only
about 1.5 billion people access
transfers through 72 IFS connected
Postal Administrations.
TECHNOLOGY BASED
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE POST

9. 9
• The Post can thus be recreated to
improve contemporary measures
such as speed of service, integration
capabilities and 24/7 access.
• create value for other postal services
and products (seamless link between
the financial, physical and the
electronic).
• Use technology to revive some dying
traditional products. (parcels)
THE TECHNOLOGY BASED
ALTERNATIVE MODEL

10. THE IDEAL POST – A Seamless Link Between
the Financial, the Electronic and the Physical
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11. 11
• Investment in a technology that offers
24/7/365 access through multiple
channels (ATMs, the web, mobile
phones and POS) like banks and other
service providers.
• Integration with principals’ databases
for real time settlements, transacting
speed, accuracy and effective MIS.
(revitalised agency services via the
network).
TECHNOLOGY
CAPABILITIES/OPPORTUNITIES

12. 12

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• Replacing the Banking Branch Model
on an agency basis at affordable
costs through electronic transaction
switching.
• Integration with big name money
transfer companies like MoneyGram,
Western Union etc to mop funds from
the diaspora (source markets) straight
to beneficiaries’ mobile wallets,
accounts or debit cards.
TECHNOLOGY ENABLED
DELIVERABLES

14. 14
• Community Information Centres in rural areas
• disadvantaged communities to surf the web,
research educational content and link up with
markets for agricultural produce.

15. 15
On the basis of the above, the Post should
champion intelligent innovation and harness
technology to fully integrate the financial, the
electronic and the physical to integrate with key
players and partners for organic growth,
diversification and contribution to socio-
economic development.

16. 16

17. 17
• Access to highly qualified instructors
through video conferencing and I-board
technology.
• A link between producers and the
market.
• ICT based interactive learning
environment.

18. 18
On the basis of the above, the Post should
champion intelligent innovation and harness
technology to fully integrate the financial, the
electronic and the physical to integrate with key
players and partners for organic growth,
diversification and contribution to socio-
economic development.

19. 19
On the basis of the above, the Post should
champion intelligent innovation and harness
technology to fully integrate the financial, the
electronic and the physical to integrate with key
players and partners for organic growth,
diversification and contribution to socio-
economic development.

20. 20
• Low technology adoption and
adaptation resulting in 8 to 5
operations.
• Lack of interoperability with other
access platforms like mobile money
and money transfer agencies.
• Lack of data integration with
principals
• Low connectivity especially in outlying
areas where there is little competition.
THE LIMITING FACTORS FOR THE
POST

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• Limited access to alternative energy
solutions to keep systems running.
• limited access channels and an
inward looking culture.
• Lack of proper settlement
arrangements across borders.
THE LIMITING FACTORS (cont’d)

22. 22
The Post should champion intelligent innovation
and harness technology to fully integrate the
financial, the electronic and the physical to
integrate with key players and partners for
organic growth, diversification and contribution
to socio-economic development.

23. 23
Africa has 30 million people in the
diaspora.
In 2014, remittances to developing
countries were around $515bn of which
$40bn was to Africa.
SADC receipts were ZIM-$361m. Zambia-
201m,SA-1.489bn & Swaziland-$89m.
Nigeria had the highest receipts in Africa
at $5.397bn.
.
CONCLUDING STATISTICS AND
OPPORTUNITIES

24. 24
In Zimbabwe, as at September 2014
• Subscribers using mobile money were
4.9 million with transfers and
transactions reaching $403million
• Internet penetration rate was at 47.5%
• Active mobile subscribers were at 11.3
million.
• A 10% share of the market can thus
transform the outlook of the Post.
.
CONCLUDING STATISTICS AND
OPPORTUNITIES