By Sabri Dibaco
South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) Commissioner General Moun Deng Ajuet has called for the urgent rehabilitation of the Juba-Nimule highway.
He cited that upgrading the country’s busiest trade corridor would speed up cargo movement, facilitate trade, and significantly increase government revenue.
Ajuet made the remarks while speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of Magwi County and the Nimule Border Crossing, where he assessed customs operations and revenue collection at South Sudan’s main gateway for imports.
He said the poor condition of parts of the Juba–Nimule highway continues to slow the movement of commercial trucks, increase transport costs and delay the delivery of goods into the country.
According to the commissioner general, rehabilitating the road would improve logistics, reduce transit time, and strengthen revenue collection by allowing cargo to move more efficiently.
During the visit, the assistant commissioner for the Nimule border crossing, Jacob Malith, reported that the cargo congestion that previously affected the border has been resolved, resulting in smoother clearance of goods and improved trade flow.
Malith also noted a significant increase in imports passing through the Nimule Border Crossing, attributing the trend to competitive customs valuation and relatively low tax rates, which have encouraged more importers to use the route.
The Commissioner General commended customs officials for improving service delivery and urged them to maintain transparency, efficiency, and professionalism in revenue administration to support economic growth.
He reaffirmed the South Sudan Revenue Authority’s commitment to modernising customs operations and strengthening border management to maximise domestic revenue while facilitating legitimate trade.
The Juba–Nimule highway is South Sudan’s most important commercial transport corridor, linking the capital, Juba, to Uganda through the Nimule Border Crossing. The route handles the majority of the country’s imports, including food, fuel, medicines, and construction materials.
In recent years, traders and transporters have repeatedly appealed for the rehabilitation of the highway, citing deteriorating road conditions that increase transport costs and delay the movement of goods. The government considers the corridor critical to trade, regional integration, and domestic revenue mobilisation.
Improvements in customs operations at Nimule, including the clearance of cargo congestion and increased import volumes, are viewed as important steps toward enhancing trade facilitation and boosting government revenue.