(JUBA) – The date set for the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) to apply reduced electricity tariffs has arrived, but many residents and business owners say they are still waiting to see the change reflected in their bills. The tariff reduction follows a directive issued earlier this year by President Salva Kiir to make power more affordable in the capital.
There is still no official confirmation that the new tariff structure has been activated. However, reports circulating on social media suggest that a brief ceremony marking the occasion took place, attended by Engineer Matthew Ashwil Mawien, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and Dams, Engineer Joseph Kur Ajok, Managing Director of JEDCO, and Simson Tekia, Chief Executive Officer of Ezra Group, which operates the power distribution company.
Ezra Group had earlier confirmed that the tariff reduction would take effect from 1 November 2025, in compliance with the Republican Order intended to ease the cost of electricity for Juba’s growing population and businesses.
According to earlier statements, JEDCO’s Project Manager, James Akwi, said the company’s technical team had been working to reconfigure the sales systems, streamline internal operations, and revise the Power Purchase Agreement with the Ezra Power Plant at Kondokoro, which supplies electricity exclusively to Juba.
Despite these preparations, there has been no formal statement confirming whether the revised rates have been implemented. Consumers across Juba have expressed hope that the adjustment will soon take effect, providing much-needed relief to households and businesses struggling with high operating costs.
Many small and medium enterprises in Juba have long complained that the cost of electricity remains one of their biggest challenges. For many traders and manufacturers, power costs account for a significant share of monthly business expenses. A tariff reduction, they say, could increase productivity and improve profit margins.
Business leaders in Juba say that a reduction of even one US dollar equivalent per household could translate into significant savings for the local economy, boosting consumer spending power and supporting small enterprises.
Economic observers also believe that cheaper power could encourage new investments, particularly in small scale manufacturing and services that depend heavily on electricity. However, some analysts caution that without clear communication and transparency from JEDCO and Ezra Group, public confidence in the company’s operations could weaken.
Officials have earlier stated that the tariff adjustment was designed to strike a balance between consumer affordability and investor stability, maintaining the financial viability of power generation while easing the burden on end users.
As of now, JEDCO and the Ministry of Energy have not released a formal notice or updated pricing schedule. Businesses and households in Juba continue to wait for confirmation that the reduced electricity tariffs have officially taken effect.
