Ethiopian Post, operating as Ethiopost, has launched two mobile-based platforms aimed at modernising postal services and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. The move is part of a broader effort to implement Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia strategy, integrating technology into traditional postal operations.

The newly introduced Virtual Post Box allows customers to use their phone numbers as postal addresses, eliminating the need for physical mailboxes. Notifications are sent directly to users’ phones when items arrive, helping reduce delays, missed deliveries, and the costs associated with visiting post offices.

The second platform, Post Market, is designed to ease trade barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises, connecting them to domestic and international markets. Industry Minister Melaku Alebel, speaking at the launch, said the applications are a tangible step in translating the Digital Ethiopia strategy into practical services and reflect progress in the country’s modernisation drive.

Ethiopost chief executive Dagmawi Hayliye said the platforms merge modern technology with the company’s long-standing postal services, enabling deliveries directly to customers’ current addresses. He noted that real-time updates on items and messages would improve service reliability and convenience, reducing both time and cost for customers.

Dagmawi added that by combining digital innovation with Ethiopost’s decades of operational experience, the new system is expected to enhance overall customer satisfaction and expand the organisation’s role in Ethiopia’s emerging digital economy.