JUBA – The Economic Cluster, chaired by Vice President James Wani Igga, has endorsed a draft national budget of 11.335 trillion South Sudanese Pounds for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, moving it closer to final government approval.
The proposal was presented by Finance Minister Kuol Daniel Ayulo during a meeting held at the headquarters of the Bank of South Sudan in Juba.
It will now proceed to the Council of Ministers before being tabled in the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly for debate and final endorsement.
Speaking after the meeting, the Economic Cluster Spokesperson and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Lily Albino Akol, confirmed the approval of the draft at cluster level, saying, “The Cluster passed the proposed budget to the Council of Ministers for final approval before submission to the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly for discussion.”
As outlined in the meeting, “The priority is to invest in agriculture to ensure food security, while also expanding mining and livestock production to diversify the economy,” the spokesperson added.
South Sudan’s fiscal year normally begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following year.
This means the 2026–2027 budget will guide government spending from July 2026 to June 2027.
Why budget delays happen
South Sudan’s national budget continues to face repeated delays, a situation driven by heavy reliance on oil revenues, weak financial systems, and ongoing political disagreements within key government institutions.
Officials say fluctuations in oil production and export disruptions make it difficult to forecast national income accurately, forcing repeated revisions before a final budget can be presented.
At the same time, gaps in public financial management and frequent changes in key economic leadership have slowed the preparation process.
Disagreements over spending priorities—particularly between security, salaries, and development needs—have further complicated consensus, delaying approval at the cabinet and parliamentary levels.
Analysts warn that without stronger economic diversification and improved fiscal discipline, budget delays are likely to remain a recurring challenge for South Sudan.
