The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has issued a directive mandating all e-commerce operators and their courier/drivers to register with the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC) by December 19, 2023.
After this deadline, no new goods delivery or courier service provider can register with any digital platform or delivery service without a valid PSCRC e-certificate. Existing operators have until January 24, 2024, to comply with this directive.
This registration requirement is essential for obtaining an e-certificate and an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Number, aimed at combating e-commerce fraud and crimes committed by unlicensed and unregistered drivers, courier operators, and delivery personnel.
The Ministry, in a press statement, expressed concern over logistical companies and digital platform operators flouting the law by facilitating courier services without adhering to the country’s licensing regulations. This practice was found to contravene the Electronic Transactions Act of 2008, Act 772, and the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission Act of 2003, Act 649.
The statement emphasized that the regulation of goods delivery and courier activities in Ghana is stipulated by Section 10 of The Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission Act, Act 649, and Sections 47 to 49 of the Electronic Transactions Act, Act 772, specify minimum compliance standards for e-commerce operators.
Companies falling within the scope of this directive include Uber, Bolt, Yango, Glovo, Jiji, Tonaton, Maxmartghana.com, as well as all e-commerce and e-delivery platforms and companies. These businesses are no longer permitted to use unregistered personnel for delivering goods, as it contributes to fraud and customer abuse.
The Ministry underlined the growing importance of streamlining the sector, particularly in light of the cross-border e-commerce objectives of the AfCFTA and the increased use of digital platforms to facilitate internal trade.
In response, the government of Ghana has launched the AfCFTA Hub to simplify licensing and enhance legal compliance, endorsed by the AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union 4D, and AfroChampions.
The AfCFTA Hub aims to promote digital trade across the African continent while preventing fraud and illegal trade.