(JUBA) – The British Ambassador to South Sudan, David Ashley, has expressed the United Kingdom’s firm support for the Bank of South Sudan’s efforts to modernise the country’s financial system through digital transformation.
This affirmation came during a high level meeting held on 23 July 2025 at the Bank’s headquarters in Juba, where Ambassador Ashley met with Dr Addis Ababa Othow, Governor of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), to discuss avenues for UK backed collaboration.
According to Dr Othow, the discussion centred on South Sudan’s move towards a cashless economy and efforts to build a stronger and more efficient national payments infrastructure. He described the exchange as positive and said Ambassador Ashley demonstrated a good grasp of the Bank’s strategic objectives and policy frameworks.
Also present at the meeting was Hon. Samuel Yanga Mikaya, the First Deputy Governor of BoSS for Policy and Banking. The leadership of the Bank used the opportunity to brief the British envoy on South Sudan’s digital finance roadmap and its implementation plans.
The digital transformation agenda of BoSS includes efforts to improve interoperability of banks and mobile money platforms, enhance cybersecurity and boost financial inclusion, especially among underserved rural populations.
According to the Bank, shifting to digital payment systems will also help reduce the costs and risks associated with the handling of physical cash in a country where banking infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
The initiative is part of broader financial reforms being undertaken by the Government of South Sudan to foster economic stability, restore public trust in financial institutions and attract foreign investment.
While the cost of rolling out digital systems remains a concern, the Bank believes that with international support, including technical assistance and capacity building, South Sudan can accelerate its digital transformation.