Postal Services play an important role in the economic, political, social and cultural life of countries. This being the truth an efficient system of postal service of the desirable standard is always bound to accelerate the pace of development, to enhance closer social integration and to promote the basic economic activities For efficient accomplishment of these tasks the establishment of restricted Unions is unquestionable. It was in pursuit of these fundamental principles that the pan- African Postal Union (PAPU) has been established in Arusha (United Republic of Tanzania) on January 18,1980.

The objectives are to maintain and extend cooperation among member states for the improvement and rational use of postal services, to maintain and extend co-operation and harmonize tariff structures among member countries with a view to establishing tariffs compatible with good services and a sound financial management of postal services, to promote the establishment of multi national regional and sub-regional postal training institutes in Africa, to harmonize the positions of the member-states during international meetings, to publish information and research materials, and to act as a servicing institution for its member states for integrated postal development providing them with the necessary technical support.

Since its inception, in its twenty three years cardinal efforts, PAPU has established in space and time a connecting link among the different nations of the continent. It has prepared a standard routing plan for all member states to make a better choice among the various possibilities of Air Mail Conveyance. it has also prepared a document on the methods and tables with a view to knowing the traffic of the postal services. So it is dare to say that PAPU has done best in achieving harmonized position, mail circulation and professional training.

Regarding the future perspectives of the Union, PAPU will focus on developing postal services in rural areas, modernizing and strengthening postal structures and operating methods, and intensifying the cooperation activities of the Union

During these long years of dedicated service, year after year, PAPU has been providing meritorious work over the past century by becoming an institution where African Postal Administrations have the possibility to come together to share their experiences and, when they wish, adopt a common stand during international meetings with a view to safeguarding their interests.