(JUBA) – The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) has introduced a standardised salary tariff system for commercial banks operating in the country, with the aim of improving transparency and consistency in banking services related to employee salary payments. The new framework was issued on 29 July 2025 by the Directorate of Supervision and Financial Stability.
The tariff outlines specific charges that commercial banks may apply when processing salaries, handling over-the-counter (OTC) and ATM withdrawals, deposits, and other related services. It applies to all commercial banks licensed in South Sudan, and for the first time, includes a structured comparison of these costs.
The move follows ongoing concerns among South Sudanese citizens about hidden or unclear bank charges, particularly those related to salary disbursements and cash access. The Bank of South Sudan has indicated the tariff is aimed at enhancing transparency, easing access to salary-related services and helping both public and private sector employees understand applicable charges.
The standardised table, released officially by the regulator, shows wide variation in fees across banks. Some institutions offer free OTC services, while others impose processing fees that can significantly impact lower-income earners. Below is a summary of selected bank tariffs as published:
| Bank | Salary Processing Fee | OTC Withdrawal | ATM Withdrawal | Deposit Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Bank | SSP 500 / $0.11 | 1% (Min. SSP 2,000 / $0.43) | 0.5% (own ATM), 1.5% (others) | Not Available |
| Equity Bank | SSP 500 / $0.11 | 1% (Min. SSP 2,000 / $0.43) | ATM SSP 500 / $0.11, Agent Min SSP 250 | Agent SSP 250 / $0.05 |
| Eden Commercial Bank | SSP 1,500 / $0.33 | Free | Not Available | Not Available |
| African National Bank | SSP 1,000 / $0.22 | 0.2% (SSP), 0.5% (USD) | Not Available | Free |
| Stanbic Bank Kenya Ltd. | SSP 2,000 / $0.43 | 2% OTC, 3% Third-party Cheques | 1% (own card), 1.5% (other cards) | Free |
| Eco Bank South Sudan Ltd. | SSP 5,000 / $1.09 | 0.5% (Min. SSP 250 / $0.05) | Not Available | Nil |
| Kush Bank PLC | 0.30% | 0.75% | Not Available | Free |
| Opportunity Bank | SSP 1,500 / $0.33 | 1% of value | Not Available | 0.40% |
Some banks such as the National Investment and Development Bank, National Bank of Egypt-Juba, and People’s Bank did not submit or disclose their fee structures, marking them as “N/A” in the regulator’s table.
Mobile money operators have also been included under the new framework. MTN’s MoMo service and M-Gurush, among others, have seen their salary processing and withdrawal fees listed in a separate category. While some services, like M-Gurush, offer free salary processing, withdrawal charges still apply at varying rates:
| Operator | Salary Processing Fee | Withdrawal at Agent/Merchant | Sending Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MoMo (MTN) | Not Available | Min SSP 100 / $0.02 to Max SSP 15,000 / $3.26 | Registered users: SSP 500–1,000 / $0.11–$0.22 |
| M-Gurush | Free | 1.7% | Not Available |
| DigiCash | SSP 1,000 / $0.22 | SSP 400–60,000 / $0.09–$13.04 | Not Available |
The regulator’s latest move is part of a broader initiative to modernise South Sudan’s financial sector and promote inclusive access to banking services. According to Bedipiny Joseph Twong, Director of the Financial Stability Department, this standardisation effort is intended to protect consumers and instil confidence in the country’s banking system.
South Sudanese employees, especially those receiving salaries via banks or mobile platforms, are expected to benefit from clearer communication of charges and improved predictability in accessing their wages. Employers, including government institutions, are also encouraged to use this framework when planning disbursements.
The Bank of South Sudan has not yet indicated whether it will move toward capping or reducing these charges in the future. However, stakeholders in the private and public sectors are now expected to comply with the outlined tariff structure, which is enforceable as of the date of publication.
