By Alan Clement
South Sudan has called on China-Africa Cooperation to intensify efforts in completing the continent’s digital transformation, citing persistent infrastructure challenges that hinder progress in emerging economies.
The appeal was made by Engineer Thomas Gatkuoth Nyak, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Telecommunication and Postal Services, during his address at the China-Africa Summit held in Addis Ababa on Friday September 26,2025.
In a statement from South Sudan’s MICT&PS, Undersecretary Nyak emphasized the critical role of energy access in enabling digital growth. “Power and energy is still a challenge to South Sudan, making it difficult to bridge the gap of digital transformation and economy,” he told summit participants, urging development partners to prioritize foundational infrastructure alongside digital investments.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the South Sudanese delegation held talks with Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei to explore collaboration in smart city development and cloud technologies given Huawei’s regional experience and its potential role in South Sudan’s digital roadmap.
National Communication Authority (NCA) Director General Gieth Kon Mathiang said Huawei presented lessons from its work in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia. “Huawei shared with us its experiences in Rwanda, DRC and the Federal Republic of Ethiopia,” Mathiang noted.
He added that the South Sudanese government is working to complete its national data center and transform the capital, Juba, into a smart city.
The summit, which brought together African leaders and Chinese technology stakeholders, highlighted the importance of inclusive digital development and cross-border collaboration. South Sudan’s intervention underscored the urgency of addressing energy deficits and leveraging strategic partnerships to unlock the continent’s digital potential.