• Posta Uganda launches PostCom, a national e-commerce marketplace integrating logistics and digital transactions.
• The platform leverages the postal network to expand access, especially for SMEs and rural users.
• Uganda positions e-commerce as a growth driver within a market projected to exceed $110 billion in Africa by 2029.

Uganda’s State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, officially launched the PostCom e-commerce platform on April 21 in Kampala. Public postal operator Posta Uganda developed the platform to expand its role beyond traditional logistics services into a fully integrated online commerce ecosystem.

PostCom operates as a national marketplace that allows individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises to buy and sell products online. The platform relies on Posta Uganda’s physical network to manage logistics and ensure nationwide delivery.

At the same time, the platform provides a secure digital interface that facilitates transactions and connects local sellers to a broader customer base, including international markets.

E-commerce continues to expand rapidly across Africa, and initiatives like PostCom target a fast-growing market. Analysts estimate that Africa’s e-commerce sector will reach about $55 billion in 2024 and could exceed $110 billion by 2029, driven by mobile money adoption, urbanization, and broader internet access.

Ugandan authorities are betting on digital transformation to stimulate economic growth. They expect digital services and online commerce to contribute several billion dollars to the economy by 2030.

PostCom differentiates itself from international private platforms through its public-sector foundation and integrated logistics model. Unlike traditional marketplaces, the platform combines e-commerce capabilities with existing postal infrastructure.

This model reduces delivery costs and expands access to e-commerce in rural areas. It also supports local SMEs by providing a structured national distribution channel in a market where logistics remain a major constraint.

Ugandan authorities aim to position PostCom as a central pillar of the national digital economy. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to enhance economic inclusion, modernize trade, and strengthen Uganda’s role in East Africa’s digital commerce landscape.

The platform also gives sellers access to international markets. It enables them to reach customers in nearly 192 countries through the global postal network.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum