By Alan Clement
South Sudan’s government and the World Bank Group have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic cooperation as the country navigates fiscal constraints and ongoing development challenges.
According to the finance Ministry, the renewed partnership was reaffirmed during a meeting in Juba between the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol Bak, and the World Bank Country Manager for South Sudan, Charles Undeland.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning convened the meeting to strengthen collaboration across priority sectors while reinforcing efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability.
According to the Ministry, the meeting reviewed World Bank–financed projects in South Sudan’s health, education, and water sectors, which form part of broader interventions to stabilize essential services and support recovery amid economic challenges.
Speaking after the meeting, Undeland reaffirmed the World Bank’s strong commitment to South Sudan’s reform agenda and development priorities.
He underscored the importance of sustained cooperation in tackling structural economic challenges, stressing that continued coordination between the government and development partners is vital to achieving tangible, measurable results.
The talks come at a time when South Sudan faces mounting fiscal pressures linked to global market fluctuations, domestic revenue constraints and rising public expenditure demands. Government officials have repeatedly stressed the need to enhance revenue mobilization, improve public financial management and prioritize spending to safeguard macroeconomic stability.
Minister Bak reaffirmed the government’s dedication to economic stability by emphasizing fiscal discipline, aligning public spending with national development objectives, and leveraging strategic partnerships to sustain service delivery while advancing reform initiatives.
Beyond social sector investments, the meeting also discussed future areas of collaboration, including infrastructure development aimed at stimulating economic growth.
Undeland indicated that the Bank plans to finance a fiber optic line to improve internet connectivity and reduce energy sector costs, boosting productivity and lowering expenses for businesses and public institutions.
Improved connectivity is increasingly viewed as a foundational component of economic diversification and private sector growth. By expanding digital infrastructure, the government hopes to create an enabling environment for investment, facilitate trade and modernize service delivery systems.
The engagement between the Ministry of Finance and the World Bank reflects a broader strategy to align development financing with long-term economic reform goals.
As one of South Sudan’s principal development partners, the Bank has played a central role in funding critical services and institutional capacity-building programs.
Officials stressed that transparency, accountability, and strong implementation will be vital to sustaining progress, while both sides pledged deeper collaboration across sectors to help stabilize South Sudan’s economy and build durable growth.