Postal and courier volumes in Zimbabwe rose by 38,97 percent in the second quarter of 2025, reaching 439 561 items, up from 316 298 in the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
Potraz's second-quarter postal and telecommunications report revealed that the growth was widespread across various service categories, with some experiencing significant increases.
International outgoing letters recorded the most dramatic rise, with volumes soaring by 608,9 percent, from 708 items in the first quarter to 5 019, the report noted.
Domestic services also saw substantial growth. Domestic postal letters increased by 44,13 percent to 199 359, while domestic courier volumes rose by 44,68 percent to 153 674 items.
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Other categories, including international incoming letters and international outgoing courier volumes, also posted notable gains of 18,86 percent and 21,27 percent, respectively.
Postal and courier services, while both essential for transporting items, serve different needs and operate in distinct ways. Postal services offer a universal and generally affordable option for delivering letters, packages, and other mail.
They handle large volumes and are a reliable choice for non-urgent shipments.
Courier services, on the other hand, often provide features such as real-time tracking, door-to-door delivery, and enhanced security for time-sensitive or valuable items. These attributes make courier services the preferred choice for e-commerce and businesses requiring prompt and secure delivery.
The strong performance of the postal and courier sector comes amid a broader trend of digital transformation and infrastructure development in Zimbabwe. According to previous Potraz reports, the country has seen rapid growth in mobile and fixed broadband services, driven by rising smartphone penetration, the expansion of fibre optic networks, and the rollout of 5G.
Industry analysts suggest that the growth of e-commerce platforms and changing online shopping habits, spurred by increased digital adoption, are key drivers of the heightened demand for courier services. The rise in digital transactions and online business activities is creating new opportunities for logistics and delivery services, contributing to the sector's overall growth.
While the total number of operational postal outlets remained at 281 during the quarter under review, courier outlets declined by 22, from 235 in the first quarter to 213 in the second quarter of 2025. This decrease is attributed to
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FedEx, which closed 22 outlets during the period.
As a result, the reduction in postal and courier outlets led to a drop in service density, with the number of people served per outlet increasing from 30 378 to 31 731 in the quarter under review.
