Local Telco Digitel Challenges MTN and Zain in South Sudan

( JUBA ) – South Sudan’s telecommunications market is seeing a shift as local operator Digitel continues to expand services in major towns, challenging the long established dominance of MTN and Zain. The company, founded in 2021 and led by De Chan Awuol, has focused on increasing network coverage and attracting new users in one of the least connected countries in the world.

South Sudan currently has an estimated 4.4 million active mobile subscribers and around 1.9 million people with internet access as of early 2025. Digitel reports that it has been adding new subscribers at a faster rate than its competitors in selected areas, especially where service demand is rising.

One of the company’s early milestones was the launch of a fifth generation (5G) technology test in 2024 in Juba’s Hai Neem area. The test was carried out in partnership with Chinese equipment supplier ZTE and recorded download speeds of up to 1.2 gigabits per second.

Digitel has shaped its business model around the needs of the local market. It promotes mobile phones with long battery life to help users cope with irregular electricity supply. Its data packages are priced to match the limited spending power of many households, especially as more than 80 percent of the population remains offline.

The company is also investing in its own network towers and transmission systems to reduce costs linked to renting infrastructure or buying international bandwidth.

MTN remains the largest operator in the country, holding more than 60 percent of subscribers by the end of 2024, according to corporate records.

The South African company has continued to invest in expanding coverage and added additional 4G sites across the region last year. Zain maintains a smaller but steady customer base.

Market research from Mordor Intelligence estimates that the telecom sector in South Sudan will have a value of about 134 million US dollars in 2025, potentially increasing to around 176 million US dollars by 2030, reflecting an average annual growth of 5.7 percent. The number of subscribers is expected to rise from about 3.76 million to 4.5 million during the same period.

However, reliable and transparent market data remains limited. Analysts say this makes it hard to clearly measure Digitel’s growth and the scale of its impact on the market so far.

The broader business environment is also under pressure. The conflict in neighbouring Sudan has affected crude oil exports, which remain South Sudan’s main source of foreign currency. The South Sudanese Pound has weakened significantly, raising the cost of importing equipment.

For reference, 1 US dollar is trading at around 7,100 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) in the real market, meaning that investments in network expansion are becoming more expensive. Security challenges in some states have slowed the building of towers and restricted the movement of staff and supplies.

Despite these challenges, telecommunications networks in South Sudan have often continued functioning during times of instability. Industry observers note that similar resilience has been seen in Somalia and Ethiopia, where operators managed to continue offering services even during conflict.

Digitel currently has a stronger presence in Juba, Wau and Malakal, where mobile internet usage is highest. The company is testing solar powered towers to expand into rural counties with limited road access and weak electricity supply. It has also stated plans to introduce mobile money services and business digital tools once its network coverage is more stable.

The company’s leadership includes Chief Technology Officer Paul Onek and Chief Operations Officer Wilson Kyumba. Both have backgrounds in telecom development in the region. Digitel has also recruited network engineers and technicians from local universities and training institutes, adding to local skills development.

Government support for the company has been mixed. The Ministry of Information described the 5G pilot project as a positive step for future digital services, while the Universal Service and Access Fund has encouraged further rural network expansion. However, some officials have raised concerns over regulatory clarity and tax exemptions provided to Digitel, arguing that they could affect market fairness and public revenue.

Digitel says its position as a local company gives it an advantage in understanding the market. But its future progress will depend on its ability to expand infrastructure, meet consumer expectations for coverage and service quality, and operate effectively within the regulatory landscape. For now, its presence marks a notable shift in a sector long shaped by foreign owned firms.

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