(JUBA) – The Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) has officially lowered electricity tariffs for all consumer categories, following a directive from President Salva Kiir aimed at reducing the high cost of power in the capital.
The move announced in a statement by JEDCO took effect on 1 November 2025 and applies to both domestic and commercial users. The company said the tariff revision aligns with government efforts to ease the financial pressure on households and businesses amid South Sudan’s economic challenges.
According to JEDCO’s revised rates, the commercial tariff has been reduced from 0.348 US dollars (about 2,471 South Sudanese Pounds) per kilowatt hour to 0.320 US dollars (around 2,272 SSP). For domestic users consuming less than 100 kWh, the rate has dropped from 0.303 US dollars (2,151 SSP) to 0.273 US dollars (1,938 SSP).
| Category | Previous Tariff (USD/kWh) | New Tariff (USD/kWh) | Previous Tariff (SSP/kWh) | New Tariff (SSP/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | 0.348 | 0.320 | 2,471 | 2,272 |
| Domestic (<100kWh) | 0.303 | 0.273 | 2,151 | 1,938 |
JEDCO described the tariff cut as “a major step towards affordable and reliable energy access,” adding that it marks “a new chapter in South Sudan’s power sector” by promoting wider electricity coverage across Juba.
The decision follows weeks of discussions and public outcry over high power costs. In late September 2025, President Kiir ordered the Power Purchase Committee to review the existing agreements between the government and Ezra Construction and Development Group (ECDG), JEDCO’s majority shareholder. The committee was tasked with ensuring that electricity supply becomes more affordable and consistent with national energy policy.
The president also instructed the committee to re-examine the company’s ownership structure and contractual obligations to safeguard the public interest.
However, the directive was met with initial resistance from Ezra Construction and Development Group, which reportedly instructed JEDCO’s Managing Director, Mr Wondimu Tenkir, to delay implementing the tariff reduction. In a letter dated 1 October 2025, Ezra advised JEDCO to continue operating under the existing contractual framework until “outstanding issues” were resolved.
The dispute raised questions about control and influence within South Sudan’s only electricity distributor, which operates as a public-private partnership. Despite the earlier standoff, JEDCO’s latest announcement confirms compliance with the government’s position.
Energy analysts in Juba say the tariff cut, though modest, could encourage more businesses to connect to the grid and reduce reliance on costly private generators. They add that this move could also improve investor confidence if followed by further reforms in the sector.
For now, JEDCO’s implementation of the new rates brings some relief to consumers who have long complained of high power bills and limited access to electricity.