As digitalization reshapes exchanges worldwide, the call from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) for a major transformation of postal services has never been more relevant. In many countries, traditional postal operators face a growing challenge: evolve or risk being left behind.
In Côte d’Ivoire, La Poste launched its mobile application “MaPoste” in Abidjan on Friday, January 16, 2026. Developed in partnership with the National Office of Civil Status and Identification (ONECI), the app relies on a certified digital identity. Authentication is done via the National Identification Number (NNI), interoperable with ONECI databases, ensuring reliable user identification.
What MaPoste Offers
MaPoste allows users to request and track administrative documents online (birth certificates, nationality certificates, criminal records, etc.), open and manage physical or digital post boxes, purchase stamps, and track mail, parcels, and registered items. The most tangible benefit is the reduction of in-person visits and independence from the physical post box key.
Isaac Gnamba-Yao, CEO of La Poste Côte d’Ivoire, emphasizes that digitalization does not compromise the company’s core identity: “This new vision places digital at the heart of postal services, while preserving and enhancing our strong network of over 200 branches nationwide.” These branches remain essential for sensitive operations and customer support.
The launch of MaPoste also strengthens La Poste’s role in parcel delivery and logistics, sectors that are the main growth drivers of e-commerce.
Why E-Commerce Matters
Globally, declining mail volumes—accelerated by digitalization—have pushed postal services to focus on parcels, according to the UPU. Côte d’Ivoire is no exception.
Between 2020 and 2024, domestic mail volumes fell from 3,212,252 to 1,938,285 items, while international mail dropped from 489,112 to 323,440. In contrast, e-commerce grew strongly, valued at over 280 billion CFA francs (~$497 million) in 2023, with an expected annual growth of 11.3% through 2027.
During the same period, domestic parcels surged from 6,853 to 54,601, while international parcel volumes remained stable (4,495 to 4,224). The potential user base is also expanding, with 12.8 million internet users in Côte d’Ivoire as of early 2025, many engaging in e-commerce.
MaPoste addresses the “last mile” challenge by combining certified identity (NNI), digital post boxes, and shipment tracking, solving the critical questions: Who buys? Where to deliver? How to prove it?
Territorially, La Poste’s nationwide network of branches and collection points, along with its own e-commerce platform Sanlishop, aims to serve as a shared infrastructure for e-merchants, facilitating drop-offs, returns, route consolidation, and proximity service—even in less densely populated areas.
A Competitive Market
La Poste enters a dynamic, competitive market. Jumia remains a key marketplace and delivery player. Urban express delivery is served by Glovo in Abidjan, while Yango Delivery provides citywide and national parcel services. Tech logistics companies like Paps are also developing e-commerce solutions. Competition focuses on service quality, including delivery speed, tracking, returns management, and customer support.
If MaPoste succeeds, La Poste Côte d’Ivoire could further diversify its revenues, already bolstered over the past five years by value-added digital services alongside traditional offerings. These new revenue streams include subscriptions to digital post boxes, shipping commissions, collection, sorting, and distribution services, partnerships with marketplaces, and monetization of trusted services enabled through integration with ONECI.