Ethiopost Launched Virtual P.O. Box and Post Gebeya to Expand Digital Logistics and E-Commerce
Ethiopia’s national postal service, Ethiopost, implemented two major digital services aimed at modernizing mail delivery and supporting small businesses. Ethiopost put into use its digital system called “Virtual P.O. Box” and a new e-commerce platform called “Post Gebeya.”
Ethiopia’s national postal service, Ethiopost, implemented two major digital services aimed at modernizing mail delivery and supporting small businesses. Ethiopost put into use its digital system called “Virtual P.O. Box” and a new e-commerce platform called “Post Gebeya.”
Ethiopost announced that it launched the Virtual P.O. Box service following a development process spanning several years that began in 2016. Speaking at the launch, Ethiopost CEO Dagmawi Hailiye said that the new service was designed to simplify mail reception for individuals and businesses and to eliminate the need for physical post boxes.
Under the new system, customers’ mobile phone numbers are used as their unique postal addresses. This practice replaced the requirement to rent and manage a numbered physical box from a post office. According to Hailiye, customers no longer need to visit branches for post box procedures; a name and phone number are sufficient for delivery.
Virtual P.O. Box Will Apply Tiered Pricing
Virtual P.O. Box was offered with a tiered pricing structure. Ethiopost set the Basic service at ETB 750, the Standard package at ETB 2,000, and the Premium plan at ETB 3,500. The different packages aimed to offer options according to the delivery volumes and service expectations of individual users and businesses.
Ethiopost stated that the system increased delivery accuracy and efficiency, especially in last-mile logistics. Hailiye noted that thanks to the precision of the digital address model, deliveries could be made without the need to call in advance, which reduced delays and operational friction.
The E-Commerce Platform Post Gebeya Aims to Support MSMEs and Exports
Along with the virtual address service, Ethiopost also introduced the Post Gebeya e-commerce platform, which aims to connect Ethiopian MSMEs to broader markets. The platform was presented as a tool to help local producers overcome logistical and market access barriers encountered in online commerce.
Post Gebeya was designed to leverage Ethiopost’s international postal and logistics network, thereby enabling participating sellers to sell both domestically and internationally. Hailiye stated that the platform would provide Ethiopian businesses with a reliable channel for cross-border sales.
In the initial phase of the platform, 100 sellers were planned to be onboarded. Ethiopost stated that this first phase was a controlled launch aimed at establishing service quality and logistical reliability before opening to a broader seller pool.
The company emphasized that the platform was not limited to product listing and sales, but was structured to combine logistics, delivery, and postal services under a single ecosystem. This approach aimed to simplify the process for MSMEs that want to enter e-commerce without establishing their own distribution infrastructure.
Ethiopost Will Integrate With Telebirr Through Cooperation With Ethio Telecom
The launch of both services was supported by a strategic collaboration with the state-backed telecommunications company Ethio Telecom. This partnership combines Ethiopost’s logistics expertise with Ethio Telecom’s digital infrastructure. As part of this cooperation, it was planned that the new services would be integrated into the Telebirr Super App operated by Ethio Telecom. Hailiye said that through this integration, users would be able to access postal and e-commerce services directly via their smartphones.
Ethiopost stated that it expected user adoption and visibility among consumers and businesses to increase significantly with the integration of Post Gebeya and Virtual P.O. Box services into Telebirr. The company emphasized that this step was aligned with national goals aimed at the digitalization of public services and the expansion of commercial inclusivity.