The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Egypt Post have signed a new agreement to advance the fourth phase of a long-running modernization effort aimed at transforming one of the country’s most trusted public institutions into a digitally enabled, financially sustainable, and inclusive service provider.
The agreement, signed this week in Cairo, marks the next chapter in a partnership that has spanned years and reshaped how millions of Egyptians access postal, financial, and government services. The new project—known as Supporting the Modernization of Egypt Post – Phase IV—focuses on deepening digital transformation while placing people, particularly women and youth, at the center of reform.
The agreement was signed by Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Egypt Resident Representative, and Dalia Elbaz, Executive Chairwoman of Egypt Post, in the presence of Ambassador Khaled Anis, Assistant Minister for International Development Cooperation at Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with representatives of partner institutions.
A national institution, reimagined
Egypt Post, one of the oldest postal services in the region, has undergone a sweeping transformation under previous phases of the partnership. More than 4,000 post offices across the country have been renovated and upgraded, introducing modern infrastructure and digital tools into communities ranging from dense urban neighborhoods to remote rural villages.
The modernization effort has also delivered new digital services, a nationwide postal code system, and a centralized call center that now handles approximately 7.5 million customer calls each year. Together, these changes have significantly expanded access to financial and public services, particularly for underserved populations.
“Our partnership with Egypt Post is one of UNDP’s most enduring and impactful collaborations,” Noguchi said at the signing ceremony. “Together, we have modernized a trusted national institution that serves millions of Egyptians every day—expanding access to digital services, advancing financial inclusion, and improving lives.”
What Phase IV brings
Phase IV aims to move beyond infrastructure upgrades toward systemic, people-centered reform. The new phase emphasizes transparency and accountability, financial sustainability, and institutional resilience—key priorities as Egypt accelerates its broader digital transformation agenda.
A central pillar of the project is gender equality. A dedicated gender strategy will be embedded across Egypt Post’s operations, with a focus on empowering women not only as service users but also as leaders within the organization and the wider digital economy.
The project also seeks to strengthen opportunities for youth, positioning Egypt Post as a platform for skills development and employment in technology-driven public services.
“This phase reaffirms our commitment to inclusive and sustainable digital transformation,” Noguchi said, “ensuring women are not only beneficiaries but leaders in Egypt’s digital future, and leaving no one behind.”
Transforming Egypt Post’s Regional Postal Training Center into Regional Hub
Beyond national reform, Phase IV elevates Egypt Post’s Regional Postal Training Center, positioning it as a hub for South-South cooperation across Africa and the Middle East. The center is expected to support knowledge sharing, capacity building, and regional collaboration on postal modernization and digital public services.
As Egypt Post enters this new phase, officials say the partnership reflects a broader shift in development cooperation—one that focuses less on standalone projects and more on transforming institutions that citizens rely on every day.
For millions of Egyptians, that transformation continues to arrive not by courier, but through the familiar doors of their local post office.
