African Union hosts workshop on validation of model and guidelines for universal postal services

Addis Ababa, 12 November 2012 – Some Experts from the African postal sector and financial services converged on 12 November 2012 at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia within the framework of a validation workshop on model and guidelines for the universal postal service and strategies to increase financial inclusion of low-income population in Africa.

Organised by the Department of infrastructure and Energy of the African Union Commission, the two- day workshop (12-13 November 2012) aims to improve the postal services in Africa.

Addressing participants on behalf of the Director of Infrastructure and Energy of the AU Commission, Mr. Moctar Yedaly, Head of Information Society Division, highlighted the opportunities that postal services offers including the money strafe from African Diaspora to their respective families to assist in the socio-economic development of the continent. He hoped that the AU Member States will accelerate the implementation of the AU action plan for postal sector development in Africa and the expected recommendations of the studies under consideration with the view of the the harmonization of postal policies and regulation in the continent .

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of the Pan-African Union of Post, Mr. Djibrine Younouss commended the AU Commission’s efforts to enhance the development of the postal services in the continent. This, he says has facilitated access of citizens to basic, quality and reliable postal services. Mr. Younouss further explained that, good postal financial services have enormously contributed to substantial economic development, therefore improving the living condition of the African population. He reiterated the commitment of the Pan African Postal Union to work in close collaboration with the African Union to push forward postal service agenda for global development.

mongst the key speakers during this workshop was Dr. Raphael Koffi, Head of telecommunication and ICT Division at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Interview request should be directed to Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou, Directorate of Information and Communication AUC, Tel: +251 911 3611 85, e-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org.