"We want to have something that will help PAPU to raise its own money in order to reduce member states burden"

To make its impact felt further, the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Secretariat intends to build an ultra-modern headquarters' in Sekei Ward of Arusha City.

Speaking last week during the occasion to mark the Pan African Post Day, PAPU Secretary General, Mr Younouss Djibrine said the proposed building is estimated to cost US $17.5 million upon its completion.

The proposed twelve-storey building will be located at the Philips Road Junction where the current PAPU offices are based.

"We are still talking with strategic partners to accomplish our mission, which is to give relief to PAPU member countries, who contribute money to run the union's secretariat on annual basis," Mr Djibrine said, without divulging the time-frame for the project to kick-off.

He stated that the proposed building will have office accommodation, conference and apartment facilities, from which PAPU will be generating income.

"We want to have something that will help PAPU to raise its own money in order to reduce the burden from the member states," he said.

If all goes well, the new building facility will be able to create US $1.3million per year. Tanzania's government has embraced the idea for the Africa's post body to smoothly operate in the country.

The PAPU secretary general also called postal operators in Africa to diversify postal services and products as the regional encounters the decline in traditional postal traffic.

He said PAPU member countries should make sure they go in line with the Doha Postal Strategy and the African continent's priorities in the current congress cycle (2013-2016).

"The postal sector cannot ignore the fact technology and innovations are rapidly transforming consumer and corporate behaviors to the extent that stakeholders expect to see the post taking steps to meet their needs in a proactive and timely manner, to enhance efficiency and remain relevant in the market."

He noted that development of E-service is a key strategic decision for Africa.

The Universal Postal Union, (UPU) has focused on the development of the three-dimensional network to foster innovation in products that are adapted to customer needs, such as direct mail and postal payment services.

He however stated that over 60 percent of PAPU member countries are at various stages of implementing and heavily investing in automation of points of sale, finance and back office operations as well as putting in place appropriate management information systems to improve efficiency and reduce wastage.

"Several others were hopeful of benefiting from the leap-frog effect of expansion of national broadband infrastructure, particularly in the improvement of electronic money transfer and postal payments services.