(JUBA) – South Sudan and Ethiopia have agreed to accelerate a major road connectivity project as part of efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. The announcement followed high level discussions in Juba on Tuesday between Vice President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, who chairs South Sudan’s Economic Cluster, and a senior Ethiopian delegation.
The Ethiopian team was led by Ambassador Girma Biru, Senior Economic Adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Finance Minister Ahmed Shide. The South Sudanese side included Finance and Planning Minister Athian Diing Athian and the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Dr Addis Ababa Othow.
The talks reviewed bilateral agreements that had earlier been signed during meetings between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to push forward the road project, which is considered central to enhancing trade and investment between the two economies.
Officials said the project is part of a broader cooperation plan covering infrastructure, electricity generation and distribution, air transport, telecommunications, banking, petroleum, and human capital development.
Vice President Bol Mel emphasised that projects must be implemented with urgency and discipline to deliver visible results to ordinary people. He said improved road links would enable farmers to transport produce to markets more efficiently, create jobs for young people, reduce the cost of consumer goods, and open new opportunities for cross border commerce.
He noted that stronger cooperation between South Sudan and Ethiopia could unlock shared prosperity by boosting trade, stabilising supply chains, and diversifying income sources beyond oil. “When nations cooperate, citizens win,” the Vice President remarked.
The project comes at a time when South Sudan is seeking to expand its economic partnerships and reduce reliance on oil revenues, which still account for more than 90 per cent of government income. Ethiopia, for its part, is pushing for stronger regional integration as part of its economic transformation strategy.
Areas under the South Sudan–Ethiopia cooperation framework:
| Sector | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Road Infrastructure | Major connectivity project linking Juba and Ethiopia to ease transport costs |
| Energy | Electricity generation and distribution initiatives |
| Air Transport | Improved aviation links to strengthen trade and travel |
| Telecommunications | Expanded network and digital cooperation |
| Banking and Finance | Integration of banking systems and financial services |
| Petroleum | Cooperation in exploration, refining, and product distribution |
| Human Capacity | Training and skills development to support new industries |
The new momentum in South Sudan–Ethiopia ties signals a shift towards practical implementation of agreements that have been on the table for years. If completed, the road project could significantly reduce transport costs, expand agricultural markets, and support private sector growth in South Sudan.