In the heart of Africas bustling tech scene, one long-standing startup remains steadfast in tackling a challenge that might not grab headlines: the lack of reliable physical addresses; a problem that plagues many developing countries.
MPost , a Kenyan startup, has developed a digital addressing system that turns mobile phone numbers into physical addresses, a solution that promises to revolutionise postal services and e-commerce in regions where traditional addressing is problematic.
MPost was founded in 2016 by Twahir Mohamed and his co-founder. The idea for MPost emerged from the founders' frustrations with the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the postal system in Kenya. "We realized that people needed a way to receive parcels and important documents without the hassle of unreliable postal addresses," Twahir tells WT.
Over 80% of the worlds population lacks addresses, according to the UN. This disparity creates a ripple effect, hindering access to essential services like e-commerce, banking, and even receiving important documents. MPosts solution is inclusive in its simplicity: it leverages the near-ubiquity of mobile phones, allowing users to register their phone number as a verified address.
From the onset, the opportunity was clear: providing a reliable digital addressing system could not only improve the efficiency of postal services but also unlock the potential of e-commerce in regions with poor infrastructure.
