This study discusses the landscape of postal networks in the African region and their current role of postal networks in providing access to financial services. The landscape is intended to serve as a basis to assess the potential role to expand access to financial services. Revenues from mail operations cannot sustain rural postal networks in Africa. Mail volumes are extremely low. Frequently there is no mail and yet the operational cost to run a network is high and fixed. In various cases across Africa, there are more financial transactions over the post-office counter than sales of stamps. This situation calls for vigorous reform, leading to intrinsically strong and competent institutions. A vigorous approach would have to include the assessment of options such as participation and/or alliances with privately managed financial institutions, cross-border cooperation, private postal agents, and a process and approach not necessarily dependent on the pace and course of postal reform.
