(JUBA) – The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to digital reforms, saying technology will be central to improving transparency, efficiency, and service delivery in tax and customs operations.
The message was delivered by Commissioner General Simon Akuei Deng during a review meeting at SSRA headquarters in Juba on Thursday. The session assessed progress in the flagship E-Tax and E-Customs reforms, which aim to modernise the revenue system, cut leakages, and strengthen accountability.
“Our goal is to build a tech driven revenue system that not only improves compliance but also restores public trust through transparency,” Akuei said in a statement released after the meeting.
According to the SSRA’s communications office, the review noted progress in automating tax filing and customs clearance. The E-Tax platform has been designed to make registration, filing, and payment simpler, while E-Customs seeks to reduce manual handling at border points by digitising import and export processes.
However, officials admitted that challenges remain. These include limited technical infrastructure, low levels of taxpayer awareness and capacity gaps among staff. The authority is exploring solutions such as targeted training, clearer distinctions between the two platforms, and better system integration to improve performance.
The reforms come as South Sudan faces growing pressure to raise and manage domestic revenue more effectively, especially at a time when international aid continues to decline. Businesses have often complained of delays, high costs, and poor accountability in the tax system, which has contributed to a lack of trust in government institutions.
Digitalisation, according to SSRA officials, is expected to reduce opportunities for corruption, cut processing times, and provide clearer records of transactions. In turn, this could make it easier for both small traders and large firms to meet their tax obligations while improving government revenue collection.
For businesses, the E-Tax and E-Customs reforms could lower costs linked to paperwork and speed up the release of goods at customs points. With South Sudan’s economy heavily reliant on imports and oil exports, smoother customs processes are seen as vital to trade efficiency and government earnings.
The authority said it will step up public sensitisation campaigns to encourage more taxpayers to use the digital platforms. It also reaffirmed its broader role in supporting national development through more transparent fiscal governance.
SSRA Digital Reforms Focus Areas
| Platform | Purpose | Expected Benefits | Current Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-Tax | Simplify registration, filing, and payment | Better compliance, reduced paperwork, faster processing | Low taxpayer awareness, staff training gaps |
| E-Customs | Digitise import and export procedures | Quicker clearance, less manual handling, fewer leakages | Limited infrastructure, weak integration |