A F R I C A 24

Algeire

While correspondence from European merchants existed as early as 1690, no formal, domestic public postal system existed before the 19th century.

Benin

In 1975, the country was renamed the People's Republic of Benin, leading to new stamps that reflected this change.

Burundi

On July 1, 1962, Burundi became an independent kingdom, immediately issuing its first national stamps.

Cameroon

The first dedicated stamps, which were German stamps overprinted with "Kamerun," appeared in 1897.

Eswatini

Upon independence in 1968, the country began issuing its own stamps. In 2018, King Mswati III changed the country's name from Swaziland to Eswatini, leading to the current inscription on postage.

Etiopia

Emperor Menelik II authorized the first postal service, granting a concession to Swiss engineer Alfred Ilg.

Gambia

Upon independence, Gambia issued overprinted stamps reading "Independence" alongside new definitive sets.

Ghana

The Telecommunications Division was separated in 1993, and the remaining Postal Division was renamed the Ghana Postal Services Corporation 1995.

South Sudan

The first set of stamps, released in 2011, commemorated independence, while a second set was issued in 2012 for the first anniversary.

South Africa

1501 Portuguese navigator Pero d'Ataide left a letter in a boot at Mossel Bay for passing ships to take to Portugal, establishing the first informal postal "service".

Leshoto

The first independent stamps of Lesotho were issued on October 4, 1966, with a set of 1961–1963 Basutoland stamps overprinted "LESOTHO" on November 1, 1966.

Madagascar

The current postal operator is Paositra Malagasy, which has operated the national mail and developed services like EMS since 1998.

Malawi

The first stamps specifically for Malawi were issued on July 6, 1964.

Mali

The first stamps associated with Mali were issued on November 7, 1959, under the name "Federation of Mali," which briefly combined Senegal and French Sudan.

Maroco

Before a national system existed, foreign powers handled mail, with the first British office opening in Tangier in 1857.

Mauritius

Mail delivery expanded via railway in 1867. The current General Post Office building in Port Louis was inaugurated in 1870

Rwanda

The first stamps of independent Rwanda were issued on 1 July 1962.

Seychelles

Upon independence, the first set of stamps for the Republic of Seychelles was issued.

Sierra Leone

Following independence in April 1961, the first independence stamps were issued.

Swaziland

In 1933, Swaziland resumed issuing its own distinct stamps, which were used until independence.

Togo

1960 The Republic of Togo established its own postal services, marked by numerous commemorative stamp issues

Tristan da Cunha

Mail depended entirely on passing ships. In 1928, a vessel famously landed only 54 letters and 3 packages after being the first ship to visit in 11 months.

Tunis

Postal services were fragmented. France opened its first office in Tunis in 1847, while Britain forwarded mail via Malta.

Uganda

In 1895, missionaries produced the "Uganda Cowries" stamps, which are iconic, typewritten paper labels.