The newly appointed Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services must make it an urgent priority to tackle the shockingly high cost of mobile calls and data in South Sudan.

Recent figures reveal that South Sudan’s mobile data is among the most expensive in Africa with one gigabyte (1 GB) costing about US$23.70.

By contrast, many African nations offer data at a fraction of that price.

In Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, 1 GB often costs less than US$1: a staggering difference that underscores the crushing burden placed on ordinary South Sudanese simply to stay connected.

This is not just a technical issue; it is a barrier to development, inclusion, and opportunity.

In a country grappling with limited infrastructure and widespread poverty, exorbitant telecom charges effectively shut millions out of the digital world.

Students cannot afford online learning, small business owners are locked out of digital markets, and families struggle to maintain affordable communication.

The new minister’s mandate must be citizen-centred. Telecommunications services should be treated as basic utilities, not luxuries.

The government must urgently review the taxation and fee structures weighing down the sector, foster genuine competition among service providers, and engage regulators and consumers to establish fair pricing models.

Lowering call and data rates will not only promote social equity but also unlock economic growth, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen national connectivity.

South Sudan deserves a ministry that recognizes affordable access as a right, not a privilege and acts decisively to deliver it.