• President Salva Kiir grants full authority to e-services council
• All public institutions expected to adopt digital systems by January 2025
• Country still ranks near bottom of UN e-government index

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has issued a decree granting full authority to the Electronic Services Council to digitize all government institutions. The idea is to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.

The announcement was made on Dec 17 by Undersecretary for Telecommunications Thomas Gatkuoth Nyak, who also chairs the council, following a review of progress made so far. He said all public institutions that have yet to adopt digital systems due to a lack of understanding will be required to do so by January 2025. He added that since the introduction of electronic services, the national economy has improved by about 40%.

The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and Postal Services introduced an e-government system as early as 2019, outsourcing certain business processes to a private entity under a formal contract. A National E-Government Framework developed by the service provider now guides the rollout of several digital government initiatives.

According to the ministry, digital transformation is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including stronger innovation, higher productivity, access to global markets, job creation, support for entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, data-driven decision-making, and more inclusive growth.

Despite these efforts, South Sudan currently ranks second from last in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, which covers 193 countries. The East African country posted a score of 0.1191 out of 1, well below both African and global averages.

In a diagnostic study published in 2023, the World Bank said South Sudan’s digital economy remains at a very early stage despite its potential. Development is constrained by limited and costly internet access, as well as the absence of a clear and predictable regulatory framework for the ICT sector, which discourages private investment. A fragile macroeconomic environment, fiscal constraints, and widespread insecurity further weigh on investment. Demand also remains weak due to a small market and low regional integration, while gaps in ICT infrastructure, including platforms, software, and hardware, hinder full digitization.

The World Bank added that expanding digital public services carries significant risks. Digital systems often involve the collection and sharing of personal data, such as civil registration and digital identity systems, raising privacy concerns if safeguards are inadequate. Greater digitization also increases exposure to cyber threats, including viruses, malware, and hacking, which could compromise data security and lead to identity theft or financial losses.

Isaac K. Kassouwi