(JUBA) – The Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Marial Dongrin Ater, received a visiting delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Juba on Wednesday, as part of ongoing cooperation to support governance and economic reform in South Sudan.
The AfDB delegation was led by Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Director for Governance and Economic Reform, alongside the Bank’s Country Manager, Themba Bhebhe. The visit was aimed at strengthening ties and exploring further areas of support between the Bank and the Government of South Sudan.
During the meeting, the AfDB team congratulated the Government for successfully launching the Revenue Administration Institute, a key initiative focused on modernising tax administration and revenue collection systems in the country.
The visiting officials noted that the Institute represents a significant step toward building stronger, more transparent financial systems that can improve domestic resource mobilisation and support the country’s long term economic development goals.
In a joint statement, the AfDB delegation expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation with the Government of South Sudan and pledged continued support in critical areas. These include public financial management, natural resource management and the development of essential social services.
Dr Ater welcomed the partnership and appreciated AfDB’s technical and financial support in the country’s reform agenda. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation of development projects that directly impact citizens.
The African Development Bank remains one of South Sudan’s key partners in development finance, having supported several initiatives in infrastructure, governance and capacity building since the country’s independence.
| AfDB Delegation | Position |
|---|---|
| Abdoulaye Coulibaly | Director for Governance and Economic Reform |
| Themba Bhebhe | Country Manager |
The launch of the Revenue Administration Institute is expected to play a vital role in improving tax efficiency and accountability. With such institutional reforms, the Government aims to boost domestic revenue, which is essential for reducing aid and oil dependency and funding national priorities.
The exact investment amount for the Institute was not disclosed, but the AfDB’s backing highlights international confidence in South Sudan’s economic reform efforts.
The courtesy visit also marks a broader shift in focus towards institutional strengthening and social service delivery as South Sudan works to stabilise its economy and build effective governance structures.
