NAIROBI, Kenya
Postal Corporation of Kenya (Posta) has revised upwards its revenue targets to Ksh20 billion from Ksh5 billion in the next three years under a new strategic plan. Posta is realigning its operations and propping up profit-centres to realize growth by developing new products, reviewing price structures and diversifying its sources of income.
Dr. Enock Kinara, the Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer, said Posta would gradually ratchet up its revenues in order to hit its target, lifted by its 2013-2016 Corporate Strategic Plan.
“We are committed to growing revenue from Ksh3.5 billion to Ksh4.5 billion; from Ksh4.5 billion to Ksh6.5 billion and from Ksh6.5 billion to Ksh9 billion in years one, two and three respectively to hit a cumulative target of Ksh20 billion,” said Dr Kinara. “We require a paradigm shift in the way we conduct our business. It will no longer be business as usual if we are to achieve our set targets and move to the next level as expected by our shareholders.”
Besides strengthening marketing programmes and creating physical infrastructure for improved service delivery, Posta is also improving its ICT infrastructure and prioritising ICT in budgeting. To this end, the corporation has invested $1 million (Ksh84 million) in rolling out national payment switch that will see financial institutions share payment infrastructure and capitalise on PCK’s expansive network of more than 600 offices to offer agency services.
This platform will officially be launched on July 30. The e-payment system will enable to Posta transact several operations electronically on behalf of various stakeholders, including electronic agency banking, mobile money transfers, card-based transactions, e-commerce, online disbursements in agency services, as well as e-payment for utility bills.
“This will create a shared infrastructure and with CBK’s planned National Payment System integration, we are better placed to offer the required platform,” said Mr. Enock Some of its partners that are set to benefit include banks, money transfer service providers, micro-finance institutions, utility payments and mobile money transactions amongst others.
Posta has already inked an agreement with seven major banks to use it electronic payment where it serves as an agent of the financial institutions. The technology offers an array of infinite transaction possibilities, from mobile wallets, credit and debit cards to USSD. USSD is a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication technology that is used to send text between a mobile phone and an application program in the network.
USSD can be used for WAP browsing, prepaid callback service, mobile-money services, location-based content services and menu-based information services. Posta is equally seeking approval from the Communication Commission of Kenya to provide wireless internet service in 93 offices country, 22 of which will be new offices.
Other key strategic areas that the corporation has focused on include change in PCK’s corporate image and culture to a more vibrant equally competing commercial entity, investment in the human resource capacity through trainings, formation of a comprehensive customer service charter, as well as the formation of a risk management division that will oversee and handle any unforeseen circumstances.
For efficient service delivery, the Corporation is installing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to ensure that all its front office operations are automated. Public-private partnerships Posta is also scouting around for strategic public-private partnerships to drive its revenue base.
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