(JOHANNESBURG) – South Sudan’s National Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, has officially concluded the Global SME Ministerial Conference in Johannesburg with a message of renewed commitment to international cooperation in small and medium sized enterprise (SME) development.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on 25 July 2025, Minister Atong Kuol delivered the final remarks of the landmark conference, which brought together high level delegations, global business leaders, and stakeholders from the International Trade Centre. The conference was held under the theme of innovation and partnership, aiming to unlock the potential of SMEs worldwide.
Throughout the event, Minister Atong Kuol participated in several high level side meetings with global leaders to explore investment and business opportunities in South Sudan. These discussions focused on building stronger trade relationships and promoting the country’s potential as an emerging business destination in the East African region.
South Sudan’s participation was seen as a key opportunity to attract global attention to the country’s ongoing efforts to support entrepreneurship and economic diversification, particularly in the SME sector. The Minister emphasised that small businesses form the foundation of local economies and play a central role in employment and stability.
The conference called for greater collaboration between governments, international organisations, and private investors to provide practical solutions for SMEs. Among the topics discussed were access to finance, digital inclusion, trade facilitation, and cross-border cooperation. These discussions aimed to strengthen policy frameworks that enable small businesses to thrive in competitive markets.
Atong Kuol expressed optimism that the partnerships formed in Johannesburg would help accelerate SME growth in developing countries, including South Sudan. She highlighted the importance of harnessing global networks and knowledge to tackle domestic challenges such as infrastructure gaps, financing limitations, and skills shortages.
The event also provided a platform for the exchange of best practices across continents, including digital transformation tools for small enterprises and innovative financing models. Stakeholders pledged to scale up their support for SME resilience, especially in fragile economies.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry stated that this international engagement reaffirms South Sudan’s commitment to inclusive economic growth through regional and global collaboration. While exact funding figures were not disclosed, the government said it would continue seeking investment opportunities that generate jobs and empower local entrepreneurs.
According to the latest figures from the Ministry, over 70 percent of small businesses in South Sudan operate in the informal sector. Strengthening this segment through targeted policies and international support is viewed as essential to achieving long term development goals.
Summary of the key outcomes of South Sudan’s participation in the Global SME Conference
| Key Focus Area | South Sudan Position |
|---|---|
| SME Development | Promoting local entrepreneurship and formalising small businesses |
| International Engagement | Meetings with global partners on trade and investment |
| Financing Challenges | Advocating for improved access to capital and technology |
| Digital Inclusion | Interest in digital tools for SMEs and capacity building |
| Employment Impact | SMEs seen as a major source of local job creation |
