(SOUTH SUDAN / DJIBOUTI CITY) – South Sudan and the Republic of Djibouti have signed a landmark agreement to develop a network of river and dry ports that will strengthen trade and transport links within the region. The deal was concluded on 18 August 2025 and outlines a joint commitment to upgrade White Nile River ports across South Sudan while also establishing a new dry port in Yei County.
The agreement was signed by South Sudan’s Minister of Transport, Dr Lam Akol Ajawin, alongside Djibouti’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Moussa Ahmed Hassan. Aboubaker Omar Hadi, the Chairperson of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority, also attended the signing ceremony in Djibouti City.
According to South Sudan’s Ministry of Transport, the new partnership focuses on investment in key transport infrastructure, including the construction and development of ports in Malakal, Renk, Nasir, Adok, Shambe, Bor and Juba. The addition of a dry port in Yei is expected to further enhance the country’s ability to handle cargo and streamline logistics.
The ministry noted that the planned projects aim to improve the movement of people, goods, and services, while positioning South Sudan as a growing logistics and trade hub in the African Great Lakes Region. By strengthening transport infrastructure, the initiative is expected to improve trade facilitation, enhance regional connectivity, and support broader economic growth.
Officials explained that the agreement builds on Djibouti’s experience in port management and logistics, with the hope that South Sudan will benefit from knowledge transfer and technical expertise. Djibouti already plays a critical role in serving landlocked countries in East Africa and sees this partnership as a step towards expanding its role in regional trade integration.
For South Sudan, the project is significant in terms of creating direct trade routes that reduce reliance on limited overland corridors. With better facilities along the White Nile River, the transport of agricultural products, manufactured goods, and humanitarian supplies could be more efficient and less costly.
The government emphasised that the initiative is not only about boosting trade but also about improving regional cooperation and long term economic stability. The investment, which is expected to run into billions of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), translates into several hundred million US dollars. At the current official exchange rate of 1 USD = 4,600 SSP (August 2025), the scale of funding will require close collaboration with development partners and private investors.
Key South Sudan Ports Under the Agreement
| Location | Type of Facility |
|---|---|
| Malakal | River Port |
| Renk | River Port |
| Nasir | River Port |
| Adok | River Port |
| Shambe | River Port |
| Bor | River Port |
| Juba | River Port |
| Yei | Dry Port |
Transport experts believe that once implemented, the projects could open up new commercial opportunities and reduce logistical challenges for traders and businesses in South Sudan.
