(JUBA) – On 4 September 2025, MTN South Sudan and its financial technology subsidiary, MTN Fintech, met with Dr Addis Ababa Othow, Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, to discuss accelerating the rollout of digital financial services nationwide.
The meeting was described as a courtesy call, but it carried wider significance given the central bank’s role in regulating monetary policy and overseeing financial sector reforms. MTN executives said the company is committed to expanding financial technology solutions that provide secure, accessible, and affordable services to South Sudanese citizens, particularly those without access to traditional banking.
South Sudan continues to face structural economic challenges including inflation, a volatile currency, and underdeveloped financial infrastructure. According to the central bank, the country’s reliance on cash transactions limits transparency and efficiency in the economy. Expanding digital services could help address these issues by reducing dependence on physical currency and extending access to secure transactions.
MTN said the discussions focused on how mobile-based platforms can be scaled to reach both urban and rural communities. The company highlighted the need for partnerships between regulators and private operators to ensure that services such as mobile money, digital wallets, and electronic payments can be trusted, accessible, and interoperable across networks and financial institutions.
Currently, large sections of South Sudan remain unbanked. Outside Juba and a few state capitals, access to formal banking remains scarce. For many citizens, mobile money has become a potential alternative. Analysts note, however, that regulatory frameworks, consumer awareness, and infrastructure remain crucial for widespread adoption.
Details of MTN’s Engagement
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of meeting | 4 September 2025 |
| Location | Juba County, Bank of South Sudan |
| Key participant | Dr Addis Ababa Othow, Governor of the Bank of South Sudan |
| Company delegation | MTN South Sudan and MTN Fintech leadership |
| Main agenda | Expansion of digital financial services and mobile money |
| Central bank’s role | Regulator of monetary policy, financial inclusion, oversight of digital services |
| South Sudan economic context | High inflation, cash dependency, limited banking reach |
| Exchange rate (Sept 2025) | 1 USD = 4,600 SSP |
| Benefits expected | Greater financial inclusion, safer transactions, improved access in rural areas |
Although MTN did not announce specific timelines or products following the meeting, the central bank has already announced it is in the final phase of rolling out the national payment system to accelerate links between telecoms and banks.
