(JUBA) – The Bank of South Sudan (BOSS) has released a new salary and transaction charges tariff for commercial banks and mobile money service providers across the country that shows major differences in fees charged for salary processing, withdrawals, deposits and other banking services.
The updated fee structure issued on 8 July 2025 by the Directorate of Supervision and Financial Stability, reveals that South Sudanese customers and employers face a wide range of costs depending on their banking or mobile money provider. The new charges come amid public complaints about the high cost of financial services and rising inflation.
Analysts suggest that the BOSS directive may encourage competition among financial institutions and promote better customer service, particularly in underserved areas. Consumers are now advised to compare providers to find the most cost effective options for their specific needs.
In terms of salary processing fees, Equity Bank and Horizon Bank each charge SSP 500 (about $0.11), while Eden Commercial Bank charges SSP 1,500 ($0.32). Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited charges SSP 2,000 ($0.43), while Afriland First Bank uses a percentage model at 0.5%. M-Gurush offers free salary processing, while DigiCash charges SSP 1,000 ($0.22).
Withdrawal charges also vary widely. Horizon Bank charges 1% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of SSP 2,000 ($0.43), while Eden Commercial and Phoenix Commercial Banks offer free over the counter withdrawals. Stanbic Bank has one of the highest over the counter rates at 2%, plus extra fees for cheque processing. For mobile money services, M-Gurush charges 1.7% for withdrawals at agents or counters, with a minimum fee of SSP 400 ($0.09) and a maximum of SSP 60,000 ($12.90).
ATM and merchant outlet charges also differ significantly. For example, Horizon Bank charges 0.5% for its own ATMs, 1.5% for other bank ATMs, and SSP 500 ($0.11) for ATM withdrawals using non Stanbic cards. MTN agents charge registered users between SSP 100–15,000 ($0.02–$3.23) per withdrawal, depending on the amount.
Deposit charges are mostly waived across the board. Most banks, including Eden Commercial, Phoenix Commercial, African National Bank, and People’s Bank, offer free deposits. However, Nile Commercial Bank charges a nominal SSP 0.005 and USD 0.005 per deposit.
Sending fees for mobile money users also vary. For MTN Mobile Money, registered users pay between SSP 500–1,000 ($0.11–$0.22), while unregistered users may pay up to SSP 7,200 ($1.55). Bank-to-bank transfers via mobile channels cost between SSP 25–1,000 ($0.01–$0.22).
The following tables provide a simple overview of the key charges:
A. Charges by Commercial Banks (July 2025)
| Bank | Salary Fee | OTC Withdrawal | ATM Charges (Own/Other) | Deposit Charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Bank | SSP 500 | 1%, Min SSP 2,000 | 0.5% / 1.5%, SSP 500 Agent Min SSP 250 | N/A |
| Equity Bank | SSP 500 | 1%, Min SSP 2,000 | Same as above | N/A |
| Eden Commercial Bank | SSP 1,500 | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Alpha Commercial | N/A | 0.3% (over SSP 50,000) | N/A | N/A |
| Nile Commercial Bank | 1% | 1% | N/A | SSP 0.005 / USD 0.005 |
| Phoenix Commercial Bank | N/A | Free | N/A | Free |
| Commercial Bank of Ethiopia | 1% | 0.3% | N/A | N/A |
| African National Bank | SSP 1,000 | 0.2% SSP/USD 0.5% | N/A | Free |
| Afriland First Bank | 0.5% | Free | 1% | Free |
| Stanbic Bank Kenya Ltd | SSP 2,000 | 2% OTC + fees | 1% (Stanbic), 1.5% (Others) | Free |
| People’s Bank | N/A | SSP 0.007 (over SSP 10,000), USD 2% | N/A | Free |
B. Charges by Mobile Money Providers (July 2025)
| Provider | Salary Fee | OTC Withdrawal | Agent Withdrawal | Sending Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MoMo (MTN) | N/A | N/A | SSP 100–15,000 | SSP 500–1,000 (Reg. users) |
| M-Gurush | Free | 1.7%, Min SSP 400, Max SSP 60,000 | 1.7%, same limits | N/A |
| DigiCash | SSP 1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The publication of this tariff list is part of BOSS’s effort to improve transparency and accountability within the financial sector, allowing South Sudanese individuals and businesses to make informed decisions about banking and money transfer services.