South Sudan launches trade forum to seek solutions to economic woes

JUBA — South Sudan on Thursday launched its first National Trade Forum, convening investors from the private and public sectors to brainstorm ways to address the country’s persistent economic challenges.

The two-day event, themed “Understanding Private Sector Challenges and Solutions on Matters that Affect the Business Environment for Sustainable Consultation,” was formally opened by the Minister of Trade and Industry Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk.

Manyang, daughter of senior presidential advisor and former minister of defense Kuol Manyang Juuk, identified weak information technology, inadequate infrastructure, and ongoing conflict as key drivers of economic instability in the East African nation.

She highlighted South Sudan’s heavy reliance on oil exports, which have been severely hampered by conflict since 2013, triggering a significant economic downturn.

Manyang suggested that a sustained period of peace would have enabled the government to pursue diversification into sectors such as agriculture, industry, manufacturing, and mining.

“I believe within the challenges lie opportunities for strategic solutions that will drive our economy forward. However, we must take charge of our economy. Because nobody will come somewhere to try and hold it. The private sector cannot work alone in isolation,” she stated.

The minister underscored the importance of establishing a clear legal framework for all businesses to foster market stability.

Furthermore, Manyang advocated for measures to boost interest rates, promote overall economic growth and political cooperation, and strengthen engagement with regional economic blocs including the East African Community, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the World Trade Organization.

“To achieve this, it will be important to reduce or eliminate non-tariff trade barriers, like quotas, tariffs, and other restrictions,” Manyang emphasized.

She expressed hope that the forum would yield concrete, actionable recommendations to guide South Sudan in restructuring its economy by effectively navigating trade-related obstacles both domestically and within the broader regional and continental context.

Onyeti Adigo, the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, commended the initiative and the trade ministry’s efforts in organizing the forum, stressing the need for clear market guidance and a robust legal foundation to support economic progress.

Ben Gideon Mabor, Undersecretary in the Ministry of East African Affairs, reiterated his ministry’s commitment to collaborating with investors to spur economic development.

“We are going to work together to make sure that we are bridging the gap that is between the business and the government, or between the private sector and the government. Because at the end of the day, all of us are consumers,” he noted.

The forum aims to facilitate dialogue and generate solutions to South Sudan’s economic difficulties by bringing together key stakeholders from the corporate investment community.