(JUBA) – The Bank of South Sudan (BOSS) has confirmed that preparations for the official rollout of a National Payment System (NPS) are in their final stages, marking a major step toward modernising the country’s financial infrastructure and promoting digital financial inclusion.
The announcement was made during a final preparatory meeting held on Thursday, 7 August 2025, by the Department of National Payment System at BOSS headquarters in Juba. The meeting brought together stakeholders from telecom companies, fintech firms, and financial institutions, as part of a broader national effort to streamline money transfer services and strengthen financial interoperability.
Akum David Sabahker, Director of the National Payment System at the Bank, said the platform will enable mobile money and electronic transactions to be processed across multiple networks and providers with greater security and efficiency. He described mobile money as a foundational component of the payment system, enabling citizens, businesses, and government institutions to conduct seamless financial transactions regardless of service provider.
“The National Payment System will build an integrated, interoperable, and secure platform, allowing all actors in the financial ecosystem—banks, mobile money providers, and fintech—to operate in a harmonised space,” said Sabahker. “This will greatly improve access to finance and bring more South Sudanese into the formal economy.”
The development comes amid growing demand for digital financial services in South Sudan, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas where traditional banking services remain limited or inaccessible. The Central Bank has made strengthening the financial sector a priority in recent years, in line with wider public financial management reforms and national economic recovery strategies.
The new system is expected to reduce reliance on cash, improve transparency, and expand the reach of government and donor-driven payments, including salaries, social transfers, and humanitarian aid. It is also expected to boost domestic revenue collection by enabling easier tax and fee payments through mobile and electronic channels.
The move aligns with broader regional trends across East Africa, where national payment systems and mobile money interoperability have helped reduce costs, expand market access, and promote financial inclusion.
While no official launch date has been announced, BOSS officials have signalled that the system is ready for deployment and will be introduced in phases.