(JUBA) – The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), in collaboration with the Ebony Center for Strategic Studies and the African Economic and Business Council, has convened a high level workshop in Juba to discuss financial inclusion and market development in the country.
The policy dissemination workshop is being held at the BoSS Conference Centre at the institution’s headquarters in Jondoru, Juba, and runs for a full day on Thursday, 28 August 2025, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The forum brings together policymakers, academics, financial sector representatives and development partners to deliberate on barriers to financial access and strategies to strengthen South Sudan’s economic growth.
Two key research papers are at the centre of the discussions. The first paper, presented by Dr. James Alic Garang, a former governor of the Bank of South Sudan, explores the impediments to the evolution of mobile money and broader financial inclusion in the country. His analysis examines the challenges of regulatory frameworks, limited digital infrastructure, and public trust in financial technology services.
The second paper, authored by Hon. Jacqueline Nyibol Ajongo and Prof. Samson Taban Joseph, looks at financial inclusion and market development in South Sudan. The study emphasises the importance of expanding access to banking services, encouraging investment in small and medium enterprises and creating policies that enable markets to function effectively in a fragile economic environment.
Financial inclusion remains a pressing issue in South Sudan, where a large section of the population still operates outside the formal banking system. Mobile money services have shown potential but face regulatory, technical and infrastructure challenges. According to sector experts, enhancing access to finance could help boost trade, strengthen household incomes and improve resilience against economic shocks.
The Bank of South Sudan has made financial inclusion a policy priority, linking it to broader goals of stabilising the financial system, reducing poverty and supporting sustainable economic development. The workshop is expected to generate recommendations that could feed into ongoing reforms, particularly those aimed at improving financial technology, expanding digital payment systems, and facilitating market access across urban and rural areas.
The event also provides a platform for dialogue between policymakers and practitioners on how to attract investment, improve consumer protection and strengthen regulatory oversight in South Sudan’s evolving financial sector.
Bank of South Sudan Hosts Dialogue on Inclusive Finance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Policy Dissemination Workshop on Financial Inclusion & Market Development |
| Date | Thursday, 28 August 2025 |
| Time | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (local time) |
| Venue | Bank of South Sudan Conference Centre, Jondoru, Juba |
| Organisers | Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), Ebony Centre for Strategic Studies, African Economic & Business Council |
| Key Papers | 1. Barriers to Mobile Money and Financial Inclusion – Dr. James Alic Garang 2. Financial Inclusion and Market Development in South Sudan – Hon. Jacqueline Nyibol Ajongo & Prof. Samson Taban Joseph |
| Focus Areas | Mobile money, financial access, market development, regulation, investment |
| Participants | Policymakers, financial experts, academics, development partners |