Budget Process Resumes in Western Equatoria After Three Years

(YAMBIO) – Western Equatoria State is set to end a three year absence of a functioning budget after the arrival of a high level delegation from the National Ministry of Finance and support from the World Bank.

A team from Juba, led by Mr Deng Marial Agoc of the National Ministry of Finance, spent seven days in Yambio working with state officials to prepare what they described as a “sound budget.” The mission focused on aligning state priorities with national guidelines and strengthening planning systems.

“We came here to guide and give support in the budget preparation process. A sound budget means one that is properly aligned with government mandates and activities,” Mr Agoc explained. He added that the mission, with backing from the World Bank, would ensure Western Equatoria finally has a draft budget ready for approval.

Since 2022, Western Equatoria has operated without a proper budget. The gap has disrupted service delivery and delayed several development programmes. State Minister of Finance, Planning and Investment, Hon Bazia Tito Morris, welcomed the intervention, saying the lack of a budget had become a serious obstacle for governance.

“Budget is the backbone of service delivery. Without it, we cannot provide for the people of Western Equatoria,” Minister Morris said after meeting Governor James Al-Taib Jazz Berapai. He expressed determination to have the budget ready before the end of 2025.

The governor also assured the delegation of his full cooperation, noting that transparent financial planning is a central part of his mandate to strengthen governance and deliver services more effectively.

The involvement of the World Bank has been seen as critical in this process. The institution has been working with South Sudan to support fiscal reforms, improve financial accountability, and build stronger systems for public financial management. A recent World Bank report noted that the absence of state budgets across South Sudan has weakened service delivery, particularly in education, health, and infrastructure.

Economists say Western Equatoria’s effort could become an example for other states that are still struggling to put their budgets in place. Dr David Lomoro, a Juba-based financial analyst, told Jakony.com® that rebuilding state budget frameworks is central to decentralisation and improving service delivery. “If Western Equatoria succeeds, it could create pressure for other states to act as well,” he said.

Residents in Yambio have also placed high expectations on the initiative. “We have waited years for better services in health and education. If this budget comes through, it must not just be numbers on paper, it should bring change to our lives,” said Mary John, a local teacher.

Both national and state officials expressed confidence that Western Equatoria would approve its first budget since 2022 before the end of 2025 as the mentoring mission concluded. If successful, the move could mark a turning point for governance and service delivery in the state, and provide a model for broader fiscal reforms across South Sudan.

Western Equatoria Budget Gap