Djibouti is set to mark a major step in its digital financial evolution as La Poste de Djibouti prepares to launch the next phase of its POST CASH platform in late 2025. With new features designed to expand access to affordable and secure financial tools, the initiative is expected to bring transformative benefits to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and underserved communities nationwide.
POST CASH was launched under the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) Financial Inclusion Technical Assistance Facility (FITAF), with funding from the Japan Fund. Its goal is clear: increase access to digital financial services for people and businesses left out of the traditional financial system. In a country where financial exclusion has limited economic growth for years, this mobile-based platform is opening new doors.
By April 2025, the platform had already reached 10,000 registered users, one-third of its initial target. The early uptake signals that the demand for digital financial solutions is strong. For MSMEs in particular, POST CASH simplifies payments, reduces the risks of handling cash and lays the foundation for accessing future services like credit and insurance.
One of the strongest features of the project is how well it fits Djibouti’s context. Instead of importing a generic system, La Poste worked closely with UPU experts to develop a platform tailored to local realities. The combination of international technical guidance and national ownership has been essential. The service is mobile-based, making it accessible even in remote areas. It’s built to be simple and affordable, especially for first-time users like small-scale traders, rural entrepreneurs and migrant workers.
To support the rollout, La Poste de Djibouti made major investments in human resources. More than 65 percent of its workforce has been trained and certified as financial inclusion ambassadors. These staff members now serve as local support agents, helping communities understand and trust digital tools. Six financial education centres have also been opened at key post offices, providing training and information to people who are new to digital finance.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. According to data from La Poste, 92 percent of training participants expressed satisfaction with the experience. This kind of community response shows that the initiative is not only reaching people but actually helping them change how they interact with money and services.
The Director General of the UPU, Masahiko Metoki, noted the progress made by the Djibouti team. He acknowledged that the deployment was delivered on time and within budget, while also raising the national postal service’s profile as a leader in digital transformation.
The project is doing more than introducing a financial platform. It is strengthening La Poste de Djibouti’s position as a key development actor. The POST CASH service aligns with national financial inclusion goals and supports the central bank’s push for accessible, secure financial systems. By lowering transaction costs and offering affordable mobile services, it helps small businesses formalize their operations and manage money more effectively.
From a financial sustainability standpoint, the project is also creating new revenue streams for La Poste. As usage increases, the potential to add new services, such as microloans, digital savings and insurance products, becomes more viable. These services are particularly important for MSMEs, which often struggle to access financing through formal banks.
Getting to this point wasn’t without setbacks. Technically, integrating POST CASH with older postal systems required deep customization. Poor network connectivity in rural areas posed challenges early on. These issues were gradually resolved through partnerships with telecom providers and infrastructure sharing to extend coverage and improve service reliability.
Social challenges were just as real. Many people, especially older users and those in rural areas, were unfamiliar with digital finance and hesitant to change long-standing cash habits. La Poste addressed this by investing in peer learning and providing consistent face-to-face support to build trust in the new system.
The logistics of training a national workforce also added pressure. Delivering a standardized curriculum across different locations took coordination and commitment. Mobile training teams were deployed to ensure every region could access the same level of support.
Now, with a solid foundation in place, the next phase of POST CASH is preparing for launch. The upgrade will bring new features, including micro-savings and insurance options. These are key tools for MSMEs looking to grow sustainably and protect themselves from financial shocks.
This initiative is also changing perceptions about what a postal network can do. La Poste de Djibouti is no longer just delivering letters and parcels, it is becoming a gateway to essential digital services. As more people and small businesses come online through POST CASH, the postal network is positioning itself at the heart of the country’s financial and digital future.
By late 2025, the expanded platform will offer more than just financial tools, it will offer a pathway for economic inclusion, especially for those who’ve been excluded for too long. For Djibouti’s MSMEs, this isn’t just a tech upgrade. It’s a shift in how they can do business, grow and thrive in a digital economy.
