By William Madouk
South Sudan’s logistics industry is calling for urgent action to cut border delays, reduce roadblocks and move the country’s trade system into the digital age.
The call was made during the Global Logistics Convention in Juba, where government officials, regional logistics experts and private-sector representatives gathered to discuss how to improve trade and transport across East Africa.
President of the South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association, Deng Daniel, said businesses were losing time and money because of poor roads, excessive paperwork and delays affecting goods moving through regional corridors.
He said South Sudan’s containers face repeated “domino discharges” and delays at the Mombasa corridor, creating additional costs for traders and transporters.
“We lamented the infrastructure deficits. We acknowledged that while South Sudan is a home to natural wealth, our transport corridors are often fragmented,” Mr Daniel said.
He called for greater investment in roads, energy and other infrastructure needed to support trade.
Mr Daniel also urged the government to establish a fully digital national single-window system, allowing traders to access different government services through one platform instead of visiting multiple agencies.
He questioned why trucks transporting goods need to collect numerous stamps and approvals.
“It is better to have one stamp. If we have trusted the revenue authority to have a bill, it is enough.”
According to Mr Daniel, reducing paperwork and face-to-face contact between traders and officials could also help tackle corruption and revenue leakages.
“We are calling to reduce the human contact to minimise these issues of the leakages that are happening in the revenue sector,” he said.
‘Technology is a must’
The logistics association says South Sudan cannot afford to remain dependent on manual systems as neighboring countries move towards digital trade.
Mr Daniel said digital skills were becoming essential across all sectors, from health and engineering to agriculture and politics.
“Every human being is required to have digital knowledge on how to operate or how to do their day-to-day business.”
He said the government must create policies that encourage digital transformation rather than restrict the use of digital technology.
The association has also called for investment in young people, including the creation of a national logistics training academy.
Mr Daniel said the sector needed workers skilled in data analysis, digital tracking and environmentally friendly supply-chain practices.
Long delays on trade routes
Poor road infrastructure remains another major concern for traders.
Mr Daniel called for investment in strategic transport corridors and better coordination between government agencies and regional partners.
He said delays on key routes were increasing the cost of doing business and making it harder for traders to meet their tax obligations.
“Instead of spending two hours, you spend more than eight hours just in the distance of 192 kilometres,” he said.
He also called for the removal of unnecessary roadblocks and the harmonisation of transit regulations across the region.
The association wants South Sudan to fully implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement to move goods and services faster and more predictably.
President of the Federation of East African Freight and Logistics Associations, Charles Mwebemezi
Regional support
President of the Federation of East African Freight and Logistics Associations, Charles Mwebemezi, praised South Sudan for hosting the convention and urged the government to maintain its support for the private sector.
Mr Mwebemezi said the logistics industry could play a major role in strengthening regional trade and cooperation.
He called for policies and laws that make it easier for businesses to import and export goods.
“Trade is too big. I know [South] Sudan, you are importing and at the same time exporting, which means we need rules and regulations that are conducive to both import and export,” he said.
He said the challenges facing the sector should not discourage investment, but should instead be seen as opportunities for innovation.
The convention brought together government officials, private-sector representatives, logistics companies and regional stakeholders to discuss ways of improving transport and trade.
Mr Daniel said the meeting was not simply an opportunity to list problems, but a platform to develop practical solutions.
“We did not come here to complain to the government, but it was a laboratory for the solutions.”
He said the South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association would follow up on the recommendations and work with the government and regional partners to ensure they are implemented.
“We demand the actions, we demand political will, we demand investment and we demand encouragement.”
For the logistics sector, the message from the convention was clear: better roads, fewer barriers and a faster shift to digital systems are needed if South Sudan is to turn its location and natural resources into greater trade and economic opportunities.