AGP Executive Report

Investment: President Salva Kiir used the Russia–Africa summit in Moscow to call for investment in South Sudan’s agriculture, oil, mining and tourism sectors, pitching natural resources as a path to growth. Charcoal Trade: South Sudanese officials say a government-contracted company is authorised to harvest timber and charcoal in Kajo-Keji, rejecting Ugandan allegations that the trade supports rebels as traders face losses. Farmers & Markets: Farmers in Mugwo say insecurity, poor roads, taxes and limited market access are holding back food production and sales to Yei and Juba. Infrastructure: A $267 million project to import power from Uganda and a consultancy tender for the 280-kilometre Kapoeta–Boma–Raad road point to efforts to expand energy and regional transport links. Public Revenue: The Revenue Authority reports SSP 138 billion collected in the first 15 days of October, though it has not clarified how the figure was measured. Trade: South Sudan joined the Accra Convention on cargo documents, which aims to simplify cross-border trade and improve businesses’ access to finance.

Farmers and Markets: Farmers in Mugwo say insecurity, poor roads, limited storage and market access are holding back food production. Roadblocks and taxes also eat into returns. Business Costs: The South Sudan Bar Association has threatened legal action over vehicle seizures and demands for dollar payments to replace number plates, saying the fees lack legal authority. Trade Links: South Sudan joined the Accra Convention, which aims to simplify cargo movements and improve access to trade finance. A separate tender will advance design work on the 280-kilometre Kapoeta–Boma–Raad road, part of a regional trade corridor. Power and Revenue: A $267 million Uganda power-import project will build a 299-kilometre transmission line, with the goal of cutting reliance on costly diesel. The Revenue Authority reported SSP 138 billion in domestic tax collections in the first half of October, but did not clarify whether this means payments received or assessments. Economic Outlook: IMF estimates put South Sudan’s 2026 GDP per capita at $641.95, among the world’s lowest.

Business Costs: South Sudan’s Bar Association has given the Interior Ministry three days to cancel compulsory vehicle plate changes, release seized company vehicles and refund fees, arguing the dollar charges lack legal authority. Trade: South Sudan joined 25 other countries in signing the Accra Convention, which aims to make cargo documents usable across road, rail, air and sea transport—potentially easing cross-border trade and access to finance. Public Revenue: The Revenue Authority reported collecting SSP 138 billion in domestic taxes in the first half of October, while citing shortages of transport and computers; it did not clarify how the figure was measured. Power Investment: A $267 million project will build a 299-kilometre transmission link from Uganda to Juba, aiming to reduce reliance on costly diesel power and expand electricity access. Regional Logistics: Kenya Railways launched a dedicated Mombasa–Nairobi container train, part of a network with onward links to South Sudan and other regional markets.

Rumbek Business Costs: Traders say the plastic packaging ban is raising costs, with imported alternatives more expensive and difficult for customers to use. Consumer Protection: Juba County has launched legal proceedings after inspectors found food products allegedly repackaged with altered expiry dates; the company is closed pending verification. Power and Trade: South Sudan and the African Development Bank launched a $267 million Uganda–South Sudan electricity link, aimed at extending imports from Nimule to Juba and other towns. South Sudan also joined the signing ceremony for the Accra Convention, which aims to ease cross-border cargo movement and trade. Economic Stability: The UN human rights commission warns that South Sudan’s 2018 peace settlement is being dismantled, raising risks for civilians and the country’s fragile transition.

Power & Investment: South Sudan and the African Development Bank launched a $267 million Uganda–South Sudan electricity link, intended to extend imported power from Nimule to Juba and other towns and improve supply for businesses. Trade: South Sudan joined the Accra Convention on cargo documents, which aims to ease cross-border goods movement and help businesses use goods in transit to secure financing. Economic Recovery: President Salva Kiir was briefed on IMF and World Bank talks, including plans to complete a budget component of the IMF programme and support agriculture and value chains. In Moscow, he is also seeking wider cooperation on trade, investment, energy and infrastructure. Business Regulation: Juba authorities sentenced 16 traders for sanitation violations, while Juba County is pursuing legal action against a trading company accused of repackaging expired food.

Economic Recovery: President Salva Kiir has travelled to Moscow for the Russia-Africa Summit, where South Sudan is seeking cooperation on trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and agriculture. His finance minister and the Bank of South Sudan governor have also briefed him on IMF and World Bank talks; the government and IMF agreed to complete the budget component of the staff-monitored programme before moving to the next stage. Food Trade: Juba County has launched legal proceedings against a trading company over alleged repackaging and sale of expired food, while the standards bureau urged traders to check expiry dates and improve stock controls. Financial Oversight: South Sudan’s Financial Intelligence Unit says it is strengthening coordination to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, with a five-day workshop involving regulators, banks and government officials. Agriculture: South Sudan is among eight countries adopting common rules for biopesticide approvals, a move aimed at reducing delays and improving farmers’ access to crop-protection products.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Salva Kiir has left for Moscow, where talks are expected to explore cooperation with Russia on trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and agriculture. Central Bank: The Bank of South Sudan launched a communications strategy aimed at explaining monetary policy and financial stability more clearly to the public and markets. Energy Investment: Dangote Petroleum Refinery CEO David Bird will speak at South Sudan Oil & Power in Juba in November, as the company expands its regional fuel infrastructure through a planned Kenya refinery and its stake in Kenya Pipeline Company. Growth Outlook: The IMF projects South Sudan’s economy will grow 10.5% in 2026, among Africa’s fastest rates, though the country remains among the world’s poorest by output per person. Market Standards: Authorities in Central Equatoria say they found expired food being repackaged for sale in Gumbo and have called for legal action to protect consumers.

Market Oversight: Officials seized expired flour, biscuits, cooking oil and sugar allegedly being repackaged for sale in Gumbo, and ordered legal action. Energy Investment: South Sudan’s solar and grid projects are drawing investor interest ahead of the November 24–25 Oil & Power conference in Juba. A $53 million World Bank-backed programme includes $16.8 million in Juba grid upgrades, while a $121 million Uganda power interconnection project is advancing. Economic Outlook: The IMF projects 10.5% growth in 2026, among the world’s fastest rates, but output per person is just $642 and extreme poverty reached an estimated 87% in 2025. Trade and Farming: The government and UNDP are pursuing trade policy reforms to connect South Sudan to global markets, while farmers in Yei and Magwi have received equipment to support incomes.

Food Market Oversight: Central Equatoria officials say they found expired flour, biscuits, cooking oil and sugar allegedly repackaged with altered dates at a Gumbo trading company. The governor ordered legal action, in a case that raises concerns about consumer safety and market trust. Growth and Poverty: The IMF projects South Sudan’s economy will grow 10.5% in 2026, the world’s third-fastest rate, largely as oil production recovers from export disruptions. But the IMF puts output per person at just $642, while the World Bank estimates extreme poverty reached 87% in 2025—showing how little the rebound may mean for households. Energy Investment: South Sudan Oil & Power returns to Juba on November 24–25, with oil exploration, production and solar projects on the agenda. A $53 million World Bank-backed project includes $16.8 million for Juba grid extensions, while work is advancing on a planned power link with Uganda. Rural Enterprise: Grinding machines provided to smallholder farmers in Yei River and Magwi aim to support incomes and local production.

Oil and Gas: South Sudan is courting investors at the November 24–25 South Sudan Oil & Power conference in Juba. The Petroleum Ministry lists 14 open exploration blocks, while plans to raise output are creating demand for drilling, recovery and production technology. Electricity Investment: Solar projects and a $53 million World Bank-backed grid expansion in Juba are opening work for contractors and equipment suppliers; a planned Uganda power link could also support regional electricity trade. Rural Enterprise: GIZ has provided 12 grinding machines to farmer groups in Yei and Magwi, aiming to cut processing costs and help communities earn more from crops. Economic Outlook: IMF estimates put South Sudan’s 2026 output at $642 per person. The figure underscores the scale of the challenge as high prices, weak job prospects and heavy dependence on oil weigh on households.

Power Investment: South Sudan’s low electricity access is creating openings for solar developers and suppliers. A $53 million World Bank-backed project includes a $16.8 million package to extend Juba’s grid, while a planned link with Uganda could boost cross-border power trade. These opportunities will feature at the South Sudan Oil & Power conference in Juba on November 24–25. Trade and Farming: The government and UNDP are developing a trade policy framework to guide investment and connect South Sudan to regional and global markets. In Yei and Magwi, 12 farmer groups received cereal-grinding machines aimed at cutting processing costs and creating income. Oil Exploration: With much of the country still underexplored, improved seismic surveys could help reduce investment risks and identify new prospects as South Sudan seeks to revive oil production.

Abyei Trade: The October 19 drone strike on Amiet market—a reported node in fuel routes into Sudan—has killed at least 153 people, according to local officials; the UN has confirmed at least 80. Sudan denies its army’s role. Growth Outlook: South Sudan is forecast to grow 10.5% in 2026, but the rebound depends heavily on oil exports recovering after pipeline disruptions. Oil accounts for about 95% of exports, leaving the economy vulnerable to renewed shocks. Trade Policy: The government and UNDP are developing a trade framework and five-year country programme to guide investment and help connect South Sudan to regional and global markets. Farm Incomes: Twelve farmer groups in Yei and Magwi received cereal-grinding machines expected to cut processing costs and create income opportunities; women make up 60% of group members. Oil Exploration: South Sudan is promoting seismic surveys to identify new prospects, with 14 blocks open to investors and much of the country still underexplored.

Trade Links: South Sudan and UNDP are developing a trade policy framework to guide investment and connect the country to regional and global markets. Rural Enterprise: GIZ has supplied 12 grinding machines to farmer groups in Yei and Magwi, aiming to cut processing costs and create income opportunities. Growth Outlook: South Sudan is forecast to grow 10.5% in 2026, largely on an oil-sector rebound after pipeline disruptions; dependence on crude leaves the recovery exposed to new shocks. Oil Investment: New seismic technology could help assess the country’s underexplored oil blocks and attract investment. Fuel-Supply Risk: The deadly strike on Abyei’s Amiet market has highlighted how fuel trade routes linking South Sudan and Sudan are entangled in the war, putting regional commerce at risk.

Farm Incomes: GIZ has provided 12 cereal-grinding machines to farmer groups in Yei and Magwi. The groups, each with 25 members and 60% women, expect lower processing costs and new income opportunities. Trade Links: The government and UNDP are developing a trade policy framework and a five-year programme to guide investment priorities and connect South Sudan to regional and global markets. Abyei Market Fallout: Sudan denies responsibility for the drone strike on Amiet Market, where local authorities report 220 deaths. The attack on a vital trading hub underscores the risks conflict poses to commerce and livelihoods. Oil Investment: New seismic technology could help turn South Sudan’s underexplored oil blocks into viable prospects. The November South Sudan Oil & Power conference in Juba will bring investors and technical partners together as the country seeks to expand exploration and regional ties.

Fuel and Regional Trade: Aliko Dangote’s reported $335 million purchase of a 24.76% stake in Kenya Pipeline Company, plus a $1.5 billion expansion pledge, could strengthen fuel distribution to landlocked markets including South Sudan. His planned Lamu refinery could also reshape regional supply. Abyei Market Attack: The drone strike on Amiet Market killed 153 people and destroyed businesses, hitting a vital trading hub and raising fears of spillover from Sudan’s war. Growth Outlook: South Sudan is projected to record Africa’s fastest economic growth in 2026, at 10.5%, though the forecast comes amid serious food and climate risks. Trade Links: South Sudan and Uganda have agreed to tackle border delays, a key step for traders seeking smoother access to each other’s markets. Climate Risks: The UN warns an extreme El Niño could deepen hunger and disrupt livelihoods; South Sudan is among 11 countries targeted for emergency support.

Trade Disruption: The deadly drone strike on Amiet Market in Abyei has killed 153 people and damaged businesses and fuel depots at a vital trading hub. South Sudan is calling for an investigation and accountability. Fuel Infrastructure: Aliko Dangote has bought a 25% stake in Kenya Pipeline Company for about $335 million and pledged $1.5 billion toward network expansion. The pipeline supplies South Sudan and other regional markets, linking the investment to fuel access and trade. Climate and Food Risks: The UN warns El Niño could intensify sharply, raising drought and flood risks. Up to 50 million people worldwide may face increased hunger, and South Sudan is among countries targeted for emergency support. Cross-Border Trade: Uganda’s exports rose 36% in August, with gold a major driver; Uganda also processes gold from South Sudan and other neighbours. A recent South Sudan-Uganda trade deal aims to reduce border delays.