Arusha, Tanzania, 26th August 2025: – The East African Business Council (EABC) and Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) have today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation to boost digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, financial inclusion, and efficient logistics services across East Africa.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, Secretary General of PAPU, and Mr. Adrian Raphael Njau, Acting Executive Director of EABC, at PAPU Headquarters in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
This strategic partnership reflects a shared commitment of the two organisations in harnessing the opportunities presented by evolving digital economy especially in the areas of digital economy and e-commerce with focusing on increased market access, improved efficiency and productivity and enhanced customer experiences in the integrated African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This partnership marks a new chapter in leveraging postal networks and private sector collaboration to unlock the potential of Africa’s growing digital economy as well as facilitating customers meet the market,” said Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, Secretary General of PAPU.
“This MoU is a powerful step towards integrating postal and business ecosystems to better serve SMEs, youth, and women-led enterprises to trade via e-commerce across the continent,” said Mr. Adrian Raphael Njau, Acting Executive Director of EABC. He went ahead and urged the EAC Partner States to enhance their efforts in addressing challenges inhabiting the flourishing of both digital trade and e-commence in the region.
‘Some of the challenges which need to be addressed include: cybersecurity risks, data protection & privacy concerns, regulatory & compliance issues and infrastructure & connectivity limitations in the region. “ Njau said.
The MoU outlines key areas of collaboration, including:
- Joint promotion of cross-border e-commerce and logistics solutions;
- Capacity buildingfor SMEs and postal operators on digital trade and financial inclusion;
- Advocacy to eliminate barriers to digital trade and improve last-mile deliveryinfrastructure;
- Co-organization of forums such as an EAC E-Commerce Stakeholders Roundtables
- Support for the implementation of innovative GovTech and e-commerce platformsto accelerate service delivery.
Embracing digital trade and e-commerce in the EAC region is likely to make EAC businesses the frontrunners of the benefits presented by the AfCFTA, which is a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion.
By joining forces, PAPU and EABC aim to create a more inclusive and dynamic trade environment that empowers small-scale enterprises and strengthens Africa’s competitiveness in global markets.
About East African Business Council(EABC): The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of private sector associations and Corporates from the 8 East African countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the integration process of the East African Community. EABC vision is a borderless East Africa for business and investment that delivers social and economic prosperity. The primary mission is to advocate for a conducive business environment and promote sustainable private sector – driven growth in the EAC region. www.eabc-online.com
About Pan African Postal Union (PAPU): The Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) is a specialized agency of the African Union, mandated to coordinate and promote postal development across Africa. Headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, PAPU works with its 45 member states to modernize the postal sector through policy, infrastructure, and innovation. www.upap-papu.post
