“ZAMPOST Is No Longer in Decline,” Says Mutati
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) into a modern, digitally driven national service, as the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, MP, undertook a working visit to the Kasama Post Office.
The Minister was received by Northern Province Postmaster, Mr Andrew Tembo, and used the visit to outline the progress made in reforming ZAMPOST since it was prioritised under the New Dawn Government in 2021.
Hon. Mutati said ZAMPOST was previously burdened by deep-rooted institutional challenges, including a decade-long audit backlog, unpaid retiree benefits, salary arrears and an overreliance on traditional mail services that had become obsolete in the digital era.
He noted, however, that the situation had significantly changed following deliberate and structured reforms anchored on three strategic pillars: restoring institutional stability, building digital capacity and driving growth through partnerships.
Under efforts to restore dignity and stability, the Minister disclosed that all outstanding salary arrears had been fully cleared, with January salaries currently being processed. He added that K55 million had already been paid towards retiree benefits, while the remaining K45 million was at an advanced stage of settlement. Furthermore, a 10-year backlog of audited accounts has been cleared, restoring ZAMPOST’s credibility as a bankable public institution.
On digital transformation, Hon. Mutati said ZAMPOST is being repositioned as a digitally enabled national service platform. He revealed that 109 post offices countrywide have been connected to high-speed internet via Starlink satellite technology, linking them to the global digital ecosystem. In addition, 100 new computers and printers have been deployed to support efficient and competitive service delivery.
The Minister also highlighted the role of strategic partnerships in driving growth, noting that ZAMPOST has expanded beyond traditional postal services. Through collaborations such as Citizen One and BuyZambezi, the Post Office has evolved into a hub for banking and insurance services, an e-commerce and logistics centre, and a primary access point for e-government services.
He emphasised that the overarching goal of the reforms is to bring government services closer to citizens, reducing the need for long-distance travel and long queues to access essential public services.
Hon. Mutati concluded by reaffirming Government’s commitment to the welfare of ZAMPOST employees and the sustainable growth of public institutions, stating that under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, no public institution will be allowed to collapse, as transformation, accountability and service delivery remain central to the Government’s agenda.
