World Bank report highlights South Sudan’s untapped natural resource potential

JUBA – A new World Bank report, conducted in partnership with the South Sudanese government, has revealed the significant potential of the country’s natural resources to drive sustainable economic development.

The South Sudan Natural Resource Review (NRR) is the first comprehensive assessment of three key renewable resource sectors – fisheries, forestry, and wildlife – since the country’s independence in 2011. It provides an in-depth analysis of the current state, opportunities, challenges, and investment needs within these sectors.

“South Sudan has one of the world’s most productive freshwater fisheries, fueled by the variable flood dynamics of the Sudd and the White Nile floodplain. To the southeast of the Sudd, these floodplains support the world’s largest wildlife migration, with over 5 million antelope. However, there have been steep declines in large wildlife populations—down by about 90 percent—due to the proliferation of automatic weapons and poaching for ivory and rhino horn,” stated Stephen Ling, Lead Environment Specialist at the World Bank.

Ling added that even though the floodplain fisheries are relatively robust to exploitation, much of the potential value is lost.

The report emphasizes that fishing plays a vital role in many people’s livelihoods, significantly contributing to nutrition and generating substantial local government income. An estimated 2.1 million people live in households involved in fishing, with around 250,000 active fishers, about 10 percent of whom are full-time.

States such as Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Unity have the most productive fisheries, where up to 30 percent of the population is engaged in the sector.

Despite these promising figures, the current fish catch is estimated at 300,000 tons annually, which is likely much lower than the sustainable production capacity.

About 70 percent of the potential market value, estimated at $300 million, is lost due to poor handling, quality loss, and inadequate transportation to regional markets, where prices can be double those in South Sudan.

In the forestry sector, the report notes that South Sudan has around 30 percent of its land covered by forests, with exceptional ecosystem integrity and the potential to retain commercially valuable species that neighboring countries have lost.

Regarding wildlife, the report underscores that South Sudan still boasts vast and varied natural habitats that could support world-class nature-based tourism.

However, key wildlife areas such as the Sudd wetland and the Boma-Bandingilo-Jonglei landscape, which features the world’s largest wildlife migration, are only partially protected. Wildlife management in the country is also limited.

“South Sudan’s remarkable natural resources could significantly contribute to the country’s development. Wise management of these assets is crucial to ensure sustainability and long-term benefits. Community-based resource management and sustainable value chains could help diversify the economy away from oil dependence, benefiting rural communities and fostering inclusive development,” says Charles Undeland, World Bank Group Country Manager for South Sudan.

The report indicates that reviving the teak plantation industry could generate up to $1 million a year and create 150 jobs per 1,000 hectares. Additionally, community forest management could yield over $1 billion annually in sustainable revenue from non-timber forest products.

Wildlife restoration and management could bring in tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, with the Boma-Bandingilo-Jonglei landscape alone potentially generating $61 million annually from sustainable migratory antelope harvesting.

In the long term, the potential for nature-based tourism is vast, although significant work is needed to realize this potential.