Zambia Postal Services Cooperation (ZAMPOST) is in the process of digitizing the post office and launch virtual postal boxes to make it responsive to the needs of the customers.
A virtual PO Box is having a physical PO Box that you can access online and manage all your mail and packages, without needing to go to the Post Office. Virtual boxes would help people who previously used physical PO Boxes to receive mail when they live in areas where mail is not delivered directly to their homes.
Speaking during the launch of the National Postal Policy and the National Cyber Security Policy in Lusaka, which the Zambian Business Times-ZBT attended, ZAMPOST postmaster general Brighton Ngoma said the post office is being digitalized to ensure that it plays a major role in the postal space.
Ngoma noted that the postal services especially in terms of usage have gone through a decline largely due to the developments in the digital space.
“Although postal services play a vital role in connecting people, businesses and governments across the world, the postal industry is grappling with its greatest challenge yet: digital disruption.
“We know that the postal sector especially the postal services have gone through a decline in terms of usage because of the digital space that came in and the post office has remained behind,” he said.
Ngoma said, “I can assure you that the post office is being digitalized and will play a major role in the space of postal sector. We are in the process of digitizing the post office where the usage of postal boxes which is traditional business will see the introduction of virtual postal boxes this will allow the public to order through ecommerce from AMAZON.”
He said, “I see students struggling trying order books and phones, All these things will become a reality in the next two months.” Ngoma said the launch of the policy shows that the government supports the postal sector and was keen to see it thrive.
“We welcome the move to launch the policy as it shows that government supports the sector, we are also expectant that as we journey into the implementation of the policy, the legislation that will come with it will be able to create opportunities for all players in the sector,” he added.
Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya said the traditional postal business has been one the most affected by developments in the Information and Communication Technology sector.
Kafwaya said the Government recognized the key role that the postal sector plays in the delivery of services to all including those in far-flung areas of the country.
He said the launch of the policy speaks to the Governments intentions to among other things to modernise the postal sector in order to make it responsive to the aspirations of consumers and to promote access to postal services for all.
Kafwaya said the policy also speaks to Governments intention to enhance the competitiveness in the sector in order to increase efficiency in service delivery; and human and technical capacity in the postal sector.
“Government will support this sector to grow and continue with projects such as the national addressing and postcode system which will ensure the efficient delivery of postal services.
“These policies are a demonstration of the government’s pledge to develop the country without leaving anyone behind,” he said.
With respect to the cybersecurity policy, Kafwaya said it is Government’s intention to establish a coordinated cyber security framework which enhances resilience of national ICT systems to cyber incidents in order to attain the desired transformation into a smart Zambia that is underpinned by trust and confidentiality.
He said the framework should have sufficient capacity to anticipate, identify and manage cyber security risks in a manner that maximises benefits and minimizes loses to all players that transact business on any cyber platform.
“I wish to urge all sector players, our multilateral partners to come on board and work with the ministry to ensure the postal sector continues to grow and serve the community with modern approaches to service delivery.
“Let us work together to ensure that we safeguard all users of electronic platforms for corporates, individuals and children through appropriate sustainable interventions,” Kafwaya said.
