MAL 27/18 MAL-27 | Page 18

Postal Digital Parcel locker: The latest innovations for e-fulfillment, adding value to the traditional parcel delivery methods. Mpost: An innovative product that enables any mobile phone user to use his/ her phone to receive letters. It allows you to make your mobile number to be a formal postal address; Posta Mobile Wallet: Development is ongoing for integration of postal products to a payment platform centered on convenience and relevance in digital space. E-njiwa: Provides for registration of virtual rental boxes running Serially over & above the installed physical capacity for continuation of Posta’s Rental Box Addresses besides creation of e-Stamps (based on QR Code Technology). What is the role of the Post Office as a hub for e-Commerce? In recent times, growth in e-commerce has outstripped growth in the posts’ parcel volumes. The key role of the Post in the e-commerce chain is last mile delivery to the customer, and in the face of growing competition in the delivery sector, we 16 MAL27/18 ISSUE More interesting is the concept of setting up hubs at strategic and convenient locations for temporary stor- age of consignments before collection by the customer. We in- tend to reduce on the waiting time between placing an order, ship- ment and delivery by storing non-perishable items manufactured by big brands in the local stores, for prompt de- livery upon successful on-line shopping by the customer. are also providing a payment platform as other ways to profit from e-commerce. The crucial roles we play in the e-commerce chain are as outlined below; We are providing space in our interactive website for customers, which is a powerful tool for online advertising and marketing by the online retail shops both locally and international. We shall, therefore, facilitate small producers and retailers to start selling online, and in the process make commissions on sales while growing parcel volumes. The Corporation is exploring partnering with Amazon Web Services and Alibaba Group Holding Limited to help local traders and retailers import into the country through our platform and benefit from the last mile delivery logistical services. In addition, we are leveraging on technology to provide value added services such as track and trace of the shipment thus offering the local customer end to end visibility which is geared towards building trust. Our postal networks are extensive, with Post Offices located in every County and most importantly in remote areas. With this in mind, we are piloting digital parcel