AGP Executive Report

Food Security & Aid: IsraAid South Sudan distributed food to over 900 households in Terekeka, targeting displaced people and host communities hit by poor rainfall and extreme heat, with supplies meant to last at least a month. Wildlife & Land-Use Planning: South Sudan’s wildlife ministry says communities around protected areas will be involved in defining conservation-zone boundaries, with a national policy and standard procedures being drafted alongside land-use stakeholders. Energy & Regional Cooperation: Russia and South Sudan discussed expanding military cooperation ahead of the Russia–Africa summit, while earlier talks also pointed to resuming energy cooperation linked to RusHydro. ICT for Jobs: MTN South Sudan launched an ICT hub in Rumbek to train youth in digital skills and support innovation and entrepreneurship. Trade & Transport Security: A call is growing to secure the Juba–Torit highway corridor to protect traders, farmers, and transporters from robberies and ambushes that raise costs and disrupt market access. Girls’ Protection: The government pledged stronger action against forced marriage and gender-based violence, urging communities to report cases and cooperate with law enforcement.

Logistics & Trade: South Sudan’s Economic Cluster has approved a One-Stop Border Post in Nimule to speed up cross-border trade with Uganda, funded by the EU and implemented by UNOPS, with the proposal now headed to the Council of Ministers. Digital Skills: MTN South Sudan launched an ICT hub in Rumbek (Lakes State) to train youth and entrepreneurs in digital skills, support innovation, and back the country’s digital transformation. Aviation Freight: SolitAir expanded its African cargo network with new freight services to Ghana via Accra, boosting capacity on a route tied to gold and food exports. Energy & Industry: Kenya is set to break ground on Dangote’s Sh2.2tn Lamu refinery on Sept. 30, with officials framing it as a major jobs and industrial push; separate reports also point to a planned 1,000MW LNG-linked power plant for more stable electricity. Agriculture & Exports: Stakeholders pushed for better farming, irrigation, harvesting, and food-safety compliance to raise avocado export quality and volumes. Climate Risk: WFP warns El Niño could intensify hunger risks, including drought impacts already hitting parts of South Sudan. Health Security: DRC Ebola response is at a “tipping point,” with the outbreak described as potentially the worst on record.

Cross-Border Trade & Industry: South Sudan’s Economic Cluster has approved a Nimule One-Stop Border Post, backed by the EU and implemented by UNOPS, aiming to speed up trade with Uganda and now awaiting Council of Ministers sign-off. Digital Skills & Youth Jobs: MTN South Sudan launched an ICT hub in Rumbek (Lakes State) to train young people in digital skills, support entrepreneurs, and build local innovation. Energy & Infrastructure Watch: Kenya’s push for a Dangote-linked 1,000MW LNG power plant for the Lamu refinery raises big questions for regional power reliability and gas supply logistics. Oil Supply Risk: Analysts warn the Lamu refinery could face crude supply, financing, and port infrastructure hurdles since Kenya has no commercial oil output and regional crude routes are uncertain. Agriculture & Food Security: Uganda unveiled a three-phase food stabilisation strategy for Karamoja to cut emergency relief dependence, using climate-resilient seeds and livestock first, then irrigation and commercial farming. Public Finance & Governance: South Sudan’s President Kiir appointed a new Board for the National Bureau of Statistics to strengthen oversight and improve data for policymaking. Media & Accountability: AMDISS and UJOSS held a Juba workshop on media self-regulation, ethics, and professional accountability. Health & Logistics: Ebola in DR Congo is at a “tipping point,” with thousands displaced in Sudan’s Blue Nile also reported amid ongoing humanitarian pressure.

Logistics & Trade: Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the first phase of the modern Mojo logistics center expansion, a 60-hectare hub with terminals and warehouses for up to one million 20-foot containers a year, built to support the DESSU Corridor linking Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. Border Trade Facilitation: South Sudan’s Economic Cluster approved a Nimule one-stop border post, funded by the EU and implemented by UNOPS, aiming to speed up cross-border trade with Uganda before it goes to the Council of Ministers. Statistics & Governance: President Salva Kiir appointed a new 10-member board to oversee the National Bureau of Statistics, with a mandate to strengthen integrity and produce reliable data for policymaking. Media Industry Standards: AMDISS and UJOSS held a national consultative workshop in Juba on media self-regulation, ethical journalism and professional accountability. Agriculture & Climate Risk: A call for South Sudan to prepare for a strengthening El Niño highlights possible drought and flooding impacts on farming and infrastructure. Energy & Industry Watch: Regional energy headlines keep coming as Dangote pushes Kenya’s Lamu refinery and a proposed 1,000MW LNG-linked power plant—while experts warn about crude supply and financing hurdles. Public Sector Accountability: Odisha Vigilance reports the arrest of a former Juba PACS secretary over alleged misappropriation of Rs 14.22 lakh, underscoring cooperative-sector fraud risks.

Nimule Trade Boost: South Sudan’s Economic Cluster has approved a plan for a One-Stop Border Post in Nimule, funded by the EU and implemented by UNOPS, aiming to speed up cross-border trade with Uganda. Roads & Logistics: Repairs on the Juba–Nimule Highway are set to resume after funding approval, a key move for traders and truckers moving food, fuel, and construction goods. Border Efficiency: A separate push calls for Nimule clearance to become faster and more transparent, including better coordination and digital customs processing to cut delays and costs. Tax Compliance: The South Sudan Revenue Authority set a September 15 deadline for August tax filings and payments, covering income, sales/excise, and arrears, with online filing encouraged. Statistics Governance: President Kiir appointed a new 10-member board to oversee the National Bureau of Statistics, aiming to strengthen oversight and produce reliable data for policymaking. Media Standards: AMDISS held a national consultation in Juba on media self-regulation, ethics, and professional accountability. Health Security: South Sudan and Uganda agreed to remove administrative barriers for emergency health workers and supplies during public health threats, including faster visa/work permit waivers. Agriculture Under Pressure: Farmers across multiple states report drought and poor rainfall, raising fears for crop failure, livestock losses, and worsening food insecurity. Energy & Industry Watch: Regional energy headlines keep coming, including fresh scrutiny around Dangote’s planned Lamu refinery over crude supply, financing, and infrastructure.

South Sudan Tax Deadline: The South Sudan Revenue Authority has set September 15 as the cut-off for filing and paying August taxes, covering monthly returns, quarterly filings, and arrears from audits, with manufacturing, hotels, bars, restaurants, telecoms and financial firms among those required to comply online. Roads & Trade Access: Juba–Nimule Highway repairs are moving after funding approval, but officials warn the route could still become impassable in the rainy season unless key bridge and road sections are urgently fixed. Rainy-Season Risk on Key Route: A separate inspection warning says the Juba–Rumbek highway may close again during heavy rains, with the ministry pushing contractor work on critical sections and bridges. Cross-Border Health Security: South Sudan and Uganda signed an MoU to remove administrative barriers for faster movement of health workers, vehicles and emergency supplies, including real-time disease data sharing and joint outbreak response. Ebola Response Pressure (DRC): UN updates say Ebola deaths in eastern DRC have passed 3,200, with a revised six-month response plan calling for major expansion of surveillance, treatment and community engagement, while WFP urges more food support for remote, conflict-affected areas. Regional Business Linkages: Pakistan’s Africa entrepreneurship platform, the Pakistan-Africa Economic Council, is set to launch this Friday, with early focus on East Africa and planned engagement including South Sudan. Agriculture Stress: Drought conditions are worsening across multiple South Sudan states, threatening crop production and livelihoods and raising the risk of higher food insecurity. Humanitarian & Peacekeeping Support: Cambodia has deployed 184 engineering personnel to a UN mission in the Central African Republic, with some 473 Cambodian peacekeepers currently serving in South Sudan and the region.

Cross-Border Health Security: South Sudan and Uganda signed an MoU to remove administrative barriers for faster movement of health workers, medical vehicles, and emergency supplies during outbreaks, including real-time data sharing and joint contact tracing. Roads & Trade Logistics: Juba–Nimule Highway repairs are set to resume after funding approval, targeting potholes and damaged sections on the key corridor linking Juba to the Ugandan border. Tax Compliance Push: South Sudan Revenue Authority set a September 15 deadline for August tax filings and payments, covering sales/excise taxes for major sectors and arrears through DTIS, with online filing reminders. Ebola Response Pressure: UN and partners report Ebola continues spreading in eastern DRC with over 3,200 deaths, while WFP warns food aid must be part of the response for remote, conflict-hit communities. Regional Business Linkages: Pakistan-Africa Economic Council (PAEC) launches to connect Pakistani firms with East Africa first, with later expansion including South Sudan, aiming to boost industrial development and jobs. Humanitarian Returns: Cabinet approved an emergency plan to repatriate and reintegrate 20,000 vulnerable South Sudanese stranded in Egypt. Infrastructure Risk in Rainy Season: Officials warn the Juba–Rumbek highway could become impassable again during rains unless urgent repairs continue.

Road Safety & Infrastructure: South Sudan’s Juba–Rumbek highway could be closed again in the rainy season, the Roads and Bridges ministry warned after inspecting the 394-kilometre route and urging urgent repairs on key sections, including bridges, with contractor Shandong High-Speed mobilising more equipment. Public Health & Cross-Border Trade: South Sudan and Uganda signed an MoU to strengthen cross-border disease surveillance, outbreak notification, contact tracing, and coordinated mobile health teams along their shared border. Energy & Power Supply: South Sudan is pushing to reactivate a stalled energy cooperation deal with Russia, with talks focused on hydropower, oil and gas, renewables, and technology transfer to ease electricity shortages. Agriculture & Food Security: Aweil East authorities appealed for urgent drought help after a prolonged dry spell destroyed crops and dried up water sources across all seven payams. Community Development: A South Sudanese group in the diaspora is backing plans to build the first-ever library in Magwi County, aiming to support students and preserve local culture. Regional Logistics: SolitAir launched freight services to Ghana via Accra, expanding cargo connectivity across Africa. Human Rights & Conflict Watch: UN investigators urged wider action on Sudan arms controls and warned external support is sustaining violations, as the Sudan war deepens.

Road Infrastructure Watch: South Sudan’s road authorities inspected the 394-kilometre Juba–Rumbek highway, checking construction progress and access for year-round use. Humanitarian & Food Security: Aweil East appealed for urgent drought relief after crops died and water sources dried up across all payams. Youth & Agriculture Push: VP Taban Deng urged citizens to stop aid dependency and increase farming, calling out low youth participation. Water for Peace: UNMISS handed over a new reservoir in Terekeka designed to cut farmer–cattle conflict by giving crops reliable water and easing pressure on grazing areas. Energy Cooperation: South Sudan’s energy ministry met Russia’s ambassador to revive a stalled 2024 energy deal, targeting hydropower, oil and gas, renewables, and technology transfer. Trade & Industry Policy: South Sudan’s land policy talks urged lawmakers to integrate wildlife and protected areas laws into the National Land Policy. Community Development: A South Sudanese diaspora group in Louisville is raising funds to build the first library in Magwi County, starting with Ayaa Secondary School.

Energy & Power Deals: South Sudan is pushing to revive a stalled energy cooperation MoU with Russia, with talks in Juba focusing on hydropower, oil and gas, renewables, and technology transfer to ease chronic electricity shortages. Currency & Finance: The Bank of South Sudan signed a currency management MoU with De La Rue to improve planning, quality control, circulation, and security of the South Sudanese Pound—aimed at boosting public confidence amid cash shortages. Agriculture & Food Security: Aweil East County is appealing for urgent drought relief after crops failed and water sources dried up across all payams. Youth & Livelihoods: VP Taban Deng urged citizens to end aid dependency and increase youth farming, warning that long-term relief since 1983 has created a “dependency syndrome.” Wildlife & Land Policy: South Sudan’s wildlife lawmakers urged integration of conservation laws into the National Land Policy, pushing faster wildlife legislation and clearer protected-area demarcation. Transport & Trade: Delays at Uganda’s Busia border hit cargo flows after a customs scanner broke down, raising transit costs for truckers. Regional Oil Industry: Dangote set Sept 30 for the Lamu refinery groundbreaking, with plans to supply refined products across East Africa including South Sudan.

Currency & Cash Security: South Sudan signs a currency management MoU with De La Rue to improve South Sudanese Pound planning, forecasting, quality control, and circulation—aimed at boosting public confidence amid cash shortages. Energy & Power Supply: South Sudan moves to revive a stalled Russia energy deal with RusHydro to tackle electricity shortages, with talks on hydropower, water infrastructure, renewables, and technology transfer. Wildlife & Land Policy: The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism urges lawmakers to align the National Land Policy with conservation and Protected Areas laws, pushing faster wildlife legislation and clearer protected-area demarcation. Agriculture & Food Security: Farmers in Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria, and Eastern Equatoria report dry spells and erratic rains, raising fears of crop failure and worse food insecurity in 2027. Regional Trade & Transport: Trucks pile up at Busia after a cargo scanner breaks down, delaying clearance for goods headed toward the DRC and raising transit costs. Politics & Youth Mobilisation: President Kiir endorses SPLM Youth League grassroots reorganisation ahead of December elections, targeting structures from national level down to bomas.

Energy & Infrastructure: South Sudan is trying to revive a stalled energy deal with Russia, with the Energy Ministry in Juba discussing technical projects with RusHydro to ease severe electricity shortages and expand hydropower, renewables, and related water infrastructure. Monetary Reform: The Bank of South Sudan and De La Rue signed a currency management MoU to improve South Sudanese Pound planning, quality control, circulation, and security—aimed at boosting public confidence amid cash shortages. Politics & Youth Mobilisation: President Salva Kiir endorsed SPLM Youth League plans for a nationwide grassroots reorganisation ahead of the December elections, pushing stronger structures from states down to bomas. Agriculture & Food Security: Farmers in Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria, and Eastern Equatoria report dry spells and erratic rains, raising fears of worse harvests and food insecurity in 2027. Wildlife & Land Policy: South Sudan’s Land Use Planning committee urged lawmakers to align the National Land Policy with wildlife and protected areas laws, and to fast-track pending wildlife legislation. Cross-Border Trade Disruption: Trucks at the Busia border are stuck after a cargo scanner breakdown, delaying clearance and raising transport costs for goods moving toward the DRC.

Currency & Cash Systems: South Sudan signed a currency management MoU with De La Rue to improve South Sudanese Pound planning, forecasting, quality control, circulation, and security—aimed at boosting public confidence amid ongoing cash shortages. Infrastructure & Transport: IOM and the government validated designs to rehabilitate airstrips in Jonglei and Greater Pibor (Padiet, Poktap, Panyagor, Pibor) to ease movement of people and supplies. Agriculture & Food Security: Farmers in Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria report crop losses from a prolonged dry spell and erratic rains, raising fears of worse food insecurity in 2027. Wildlife & Land Governance: South Sudan’s wildlife authorities urged lawmakers to align the National Land Policy with conservation and Protected Areas laws, pushing for faster wildlife legislation and stronger enforcement. Youth & Political Mobilisation: President Kiir endorsed SPLM Youth League’s nationwide grassroots reorganisation ahead of December elections, targeting structures from states down to bomas. Local Services & Sports: Juba City Council and stakeholders agreed to regulate Buluk Playground activities—no matches during school hours, with sanitation and crowd-control measures. Regional Trade Disruption: Trucks queued at Busia after a cargo scanner broke down, delaying clearance for goods headed to the DRC.

Currency & Cash Management: South Sudan’s Bank of South Sudan signed an MoU with De La Rue to improve South Sudanese Pound planning, quality control, circulation, and overall monetary security—aimed at boosting public confidence amid cash shortages. Elections & Youth Mobilisation: President Salva Kiir endorsed an SPLM Youth League grassroots reorganisation and mobilisation drive ahead of the December general elections, pushing stronger structures from states down to bomas. Agriculture & Food Security: Farmers in Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria report crop losses from prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall, raising fears of worse food insecurity in 2027. Trade & Transport Bottlenecks: Trucks queued at the Busia border for nearly 24 hours after a cargo scanner broke down, delaying clearance and increasing transit costs for goods heading to the DRC. Infrastructure for Connectivity: IOM and the government validated designs for rehabilitating airstrips in Jonglei and Greater Pibor (Padiet, Poktap, Panyagor, Pibor) to improve movement of people and supplies. Mining & Community Impact: Eastern Equatoria’s governor urged Ngauro mining firms to strengthen corporate social responsibility—clean water, safer processing away from rivers, pit restoration, and local development support. Regional Energy Industry Watch: Dangote set Sept. 30, 2026 for the Lamu oil refinery groundbreaking, with the project expected to supply refined products across East Africa, including South Sudan. Regional Security Context: A UN-backed Sudan probe says foreign networks are fueling the war with weapons, training and foreign personnel, worsening violence against civilians.

Currency & Finance: The Bank of South Sudan signed a deal with De La Rue to strengthen currency planning, forecasting, quality control and circulation, aiming to improve confidence in the South Sudanese Pound amid cash shortages. Trade & Transport: Trucks queued for nearly 24 hours at Busia after Kenya’s cargo scanner broke down, raising transit costs for cross-border freight including plastics to the DRC. Regional Energy & Industry: Dangote set Sept. 30, 2026 for the Lamu oil refinery groundbreaking, a $16bn project expected to process 700,000 bpd and supply East Africa and neighbors including South Sudan. Cross-border Infrastructure: IOM validated designs for airstrip rehabilitation in Jonglei and Greater Pibor (Padiet, Poktap, Panyagor, Pibor) to improve movement of people and essential supplies. Mining & Local Development: Eastern Equatoria’s Lobong Lojore urged Ngauro mining firms to meet corporate social responsibility—clean water, safer processing, pit restoration and community coordination. Public Services & Governance: President Kiir called for stronger professionalism and performance across government institutions ahead of December elections. Health & Data Innovation: In eastern DRC, Ebola responders are using anonymized mobile-phone movement data to predict where the virus could spread next.

Currency & Finance: The Bank of South Sudan signed a new deal with British banknote maker De La Rue to strengthen currency management, forecasting, quality control, and circulation—aimed at boosting confidence in the South Sudanese Pound amid ongoing cash shortages. Trade & Transport: Trucks queued for nearly 24 hours at Busia after Kenya’s cargo scanner broke down, slowing clearance for goods headed into the region, including plastics bound for the DRC. Energy & Industry: Nigeria’s Dangote set Sept. 30, 2026 for the Lamu refinery groundbreaking in Kenya, a $16bn project expected to cut East Africa’s reliance on imported refined fuel and supply markets including South Sudan. Regional Infrastructure: South Sudan and Kenya agreed to jointly mobilise resources for the Juba–Torit–Nadapal highway to improve access to Mombasa and lower transport costs. Mining & Local Development: Western Equatoria’s mining regulator urged Ngauro companies to meet stronger community benefits—clean water, safer processing away from rivers, and proper pit restoration. Public Health & Data: In eastern DRC, Ebola response teams are using anonymized mobile-phone movement data to predict where the virus could spread next, as cases and deaths rise. Governance & Services: President Kiir called for stronger professionalism across government institutions ahead of December elections, pushing for better performance and qualified technocrats in key roles.