Experts in the postal sector meeting in Yaounde for the ninth Plenipotentiary Conference of the Pan African Postal Union, have stated that the post office is declining globally at a rate of 3 per cent, with the direct impact being a loss of revenue for growing economies.

It emerged from a workshop in Yaounde on July 12, 2016, on improving Express Mail Service (EMS) quality for postal operators in Africa that the continent was running after its shadow with growth evaluated at 12 per cent as against the world's 20 per cent.

The challenges come in the wake of technology and market improvements with a surge in electronic commerce as spinoff to the detriment of postal services.

Workshop participants hinged on available options, opportunities and how best to reposition EMS delivery with emphasis on taking advantage of emerging technological trends whereby consumers have improved services.

"We are looking at how we can put in place the legal framework to facilitate trade," the Postmaster General, Malawi Posts Corporation, told Cameroon Tribune.

The Secretary General of the Pan African Postal Union, Younouss Djibrine and the Inspector General in charge of Technical Affairs in the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Pierre Kaptue, joined other speakers to stress the importance of the postal service in developing African economies.