(JUBA) – The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has stepped up its engagement with the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) to improve quality control, protect consumers and strengthen the country’s trade competitiveness.
The Executive Director of SSNBS, Gloria Nyoka, and the Secretary General of ARSO, Dr Hermogene Nsengimana, led courtesy visits to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Transport, Roads and Bridges and the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Juba.
Talks highlighted the central role of standards in regulating sectors such as infrastructure, transport, agriculture and industry. The discussions also focused on how standards can support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), encourage investment, and improve South Sudan’s integration into regional and global markets.
Government ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work with SSNBS and ARSO in introducing and enforcing common standards. Officials emphasised that better quality controls are essential for raising the value of exports, reducing business risks, and cutting economic losses caused by poor or unsafe imports.
Dr Nsengimana commended South Sudan for its efforts and pledged ARSO’s support in harmonising standards, accreditation, and technical training. He said aligning with continental systems will help South Sudan take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The cost of poor standards has been significant for South Sudan. Officials estimate that substandard imports, such as low quality fuel, counterfeit goods, and unsafe food products, have cost the economy billions of South Sudanese Pounds annually, lost each year due to rejection in regional markets because they fail to meet basic standards.
Better standards enforcement is expected to reduce these losses and raise consumer confidence. Stronger product certification will also allow South Sudanese exporters to compete more effectively in neighbouring countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
Vice President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, who chairs the government’s Economic Cluster, has previously noted that harmonised standards are crucial for protecting South Sudan’s growing agricultural sector. Farmers exporting coffee, sesame, or livestock products often face high rejection rates due to lack of certification, which limits income growth and discourages private investment.
The priority areas discussed during the visit are summarised below:
| Sector | Economic Impact of Standards |
|---|---|
| Environment and Forestry | Controls deforestation, ensures sustainable exports such as timber and charcoal |
| Transport, Roads & Bridges | Prevents costly accidents, reduces infrastructure repair costs, improves construction lifespan |
| Trade and Industry | Reduces counterfeit goods, boosts SME productivity, raises export acceptance in regional markets |
| Cross Sector | Improves investment climate, attracts foreign investors, supports AfCFTA participation |
South Sudan is signalling its determination to reduce the cost of weak regulations and unlock new economic opportunities by committing to work with ARSO. Stronger standards are expected to make the business environment safer, more predictable, and better aligned with continental and global markets.
