• Ghana launched iCOLMS-GH, a digital system to regulate courier and delivery operators.
• The platform introduces fully digital licensingfor courier firms and independent riders operating in the e-commerce supply chain.
• Authorities aim to secure a fast-growing market expected to reach $2.64 billion by 2030, according to Statista.

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations officially introduced iCOLMS-GH on March 12 as a fully digital system to supervise the activities of courier and delivery services. The ministry said the sector has experienced strong growth in recent years as online commerce platforms and home-delivery services reshape consumer behavior in major cities.

The new platform introduces a fully digital licensing processfor courier companies and independent delivery workers. The system allows operators to register online, renew licenses and verify regulatory compliance through the platform.

Moreover, the platform integrates with existing national digital infrastructure, enabling connections with public databases and improving transparency and traceability across the sector.

The initiative comes as e-commerce platforms and home-delivery services expand rapidly in the country. This expansion has exposed several regulatory challenges, including the presence of unregistered operators and difficulties in administrative oversight. Authorities said the new digital system aims to modernize the regulatory framework while strengthening consumer protection and transaction security.

For consumers, the system focuses on transparency. The platform allows users to verify the regulatory status of a delivery provider in real time before completing a transaction, thereby strengthening trust in online commerce.

For regulators, the platform provides a monitoring tool capable of tracking the evolution of a market expected to reach $2.64 billion by 2030, according to Statista.

By digitizing oversight of the last-mile logistics sector, the government in Accraaims to secure a critical link in the country’s digital value chain. Authorities have opened a transitional phase that allows operators to regularize their status before the government begins stricter nationwide enforcement checks.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum