by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH Sudan’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Postal Services has brought together executives from the country’s mobile network operators to explore solutions to challenges facing the sector.
Minister Ateny Wek Ateny hosted the Chief Executive Officers Mapula Bodibe and Phillipe Hanna of MTN South Sudan and Zain respectively and Digital Executive Vice President, De Chan Awuol in a meeting in the capital Juba on Monday.
Ateny arranged the meeting with the executives, under one roof, classifying the engagement under urgent matters of concern.
Rizik Dominic Samuel, Director General of the National Communication Authority (NCA), also attended.
After the meeting, the ICT ministry disclosed the discussion focused on key sector challenges, including taxation, shipment delays, foreign exchange constraints, SIM card clearance and the drive for digital and electronic payments.
There was emphasis on prioritising digital transactions, aligning tariffs and strengthening collaboration to support the growth of the local telecommunications industry.
The meeting featuring the telco executives and the minister and NCA came days after MTN South Sudan also held engagements with another authority, the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), to discuss issues affecting the advancement of digital platforms.
The government is encouraging the adoption of cashless transactions in the world’s newest country, where years of conflict have hindered the growth of the telecommunications industry.
According to Mordor Intelligence, South Sudan has over 4,47 million mobile connections as of the end of 2025, and an estimated market size is projected to reach US$133,7 million that year.
The market is projected to expand to a value of $176,3 million by 2030.
– CAJ News