(JUBA) – The Bank of South Sudan has held high level talks with the National Communication Authority (NCA) aimed at speeding up the introduction of the country’s national digital payment system. The meeting, convened by the Bank’s National Payment System (NPS) Department, focused on aligning regulatory and technical requirements before the planned launch.
Officials stressed the urgency of the project, pointing to the central role of the NCA in overseeing telecommunications companies that will provide the digital payment services. Both institutions agreed to work closely to remove bottlenecks that could slow the roll-out.
NCA Director General Gieth Kon Mathiang described the initiative as an important step towards creating a safer and more efficient way for South Sudanese to conduct transactions. “From my side, I am supporting the Central Bank to improve and ensure that the national payment system is functioning,” he said.
During the session, Akum David Sabahker, Director for the National Payment System at the Bank of South Sudan, presented an update on progress. He highlighted recent upgrades to payment infrastructure and stressed that digital banking can reduce the risks and costs linked to carrying physical cash.
The move towards digital payments is expected to help businesses and individuals make faster and more secure transactions, potentially improving trade and financial inclusion in a country where large parts of the population remain outside the formal banking system.
A national payment system could also reduce reliance on physical currency, which is often difficult to handle and secure. As part of the plan, telecom companies will play a major role in linking mobile money services with the central system.
The Bank of South Sudan has not announced the exact launch date, but officials indicated that technical readiness and regulatory approvals are nearing completion.
If successfully rolled out, the system could be a step towards modernising South Sudan’s financial sector and integrating it more closely with regional and international payment networks.
