(JUBA) – The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has revealed that powerful individuals are causing major losses in the country’s tax revenue at Juba International Airport. Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol said unauthorized exemptions are responsible for draining around 24 percent of total customs revenue, undermining the nation’s economic stability.
Speaking on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, after inspecting the airport’s customs and anti-smuggling units, Anyuon warned that the airport’s revenue potential is being weakened by administrative gaps and illegal tax clearances.
The Commissioner General explained that while the airport should contribute nearly a third of national tax collections, almost a quarter of customs revenue is being lost to exemptions granted without legal authority. According to him, some individuals “impose” their own authority to bypass taxes for personal gain.
“One of the challenges affecting our collection is exemptions and loopholes,” Anyuon said. “Some people think they have the power to get exemptions for free. These unauthorized exemptions account for 24 percent of tax collections we are losing.”
To address the problem, the SSRA, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, has introduced a new digital exemption system. This system is designed to remove face-to-face interactions that previously allowed influential individuals to pressure customs officers for illegal tax-free clearances.
Key features of the digital system include mandatory online applications and verification of legal eligibility before any exemption can be approved. Middlemen have been removed, and all exemption processes are standardised through the platform, eliminating the committees and boards that were previously vulnerable to influence.
Accountability measures are now in place to ensure that every clearance is recorded digitally and complies with South Sudanese law.
Anyuon stressed that doubling tax collection at the airport requires not just software but also a change in public and political culture. He called on national leadership to fully support the SSRA’s enforcement efforts and urged the public to follow the new digital rules.
“We have decided to put all exemptions online to ensure transparency,” he said. “If you are not legally exempt, the system will ensure you pay your fair share.”
The move is expected to strengthen revenue collection and reduce fiscal leakages at a critical point for South Sudan’s economy.
Revenue Loss at Juba Airport
| Item | Value in SSP | Value in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Total customs revenue lost | 24% of total | 24% of total |
| Estimated lost amount (example) | 1,704,000,000 SSP | 240,000 USD |
