The power shutdown experienced by businesses yesterday should not be treated as an ordinary inconvenience. It is a serious reminder of how unreliable electricity continues to affect productivity, investment, and economic growth in South Sudan.
For many businesses, electricity is not a luxury. It is an essential part of daily operations. Shops, restaurants, hotels, salons, printing companies, internet cafés, offices, workshops, and small-scale manufacturers all depend on reliable power to provide services and earn income.
When electricity suddenly goes off, these businesses are forced to slow down or completely stop their operations.
Such interruptions have a direct economic cost. Employees cannot perform their duties effectively, machines remain idle, customers are turned away, and businesses lose valuable working hours.
For companies that rely on computers, refrigeration, communication systems, and other electrical equipment, prolonged power outages can cause even greater losses.
The situation also affects ordinary citizens. When businesses spend more money on alternative sources of electricity, such as generators and fuel, the additional costs are eventually passed on to consumers through higher prices. This makes an already difficult economic environment even more challenging for families.
South Sudan therefore needs to treat reliable electricity as a national economic priority rather than simply an infrastructure issue.
The country should speed up efforts to connect its power system with neighbouring Uganda, where electricity supply is more developed and has the potential to provide an important source of reliable power for South Sudan.
A stronger electricity connection could help reduce the pressure caused by frequent power shortages, particularly in Juba and other areas connected to the national grid.
However, connecting to Uganda should not mean abandoning efforts to develop South Sudan’s own electricity generation capacity. Instead, the two approaches should complement each other. Imported electricity can provide an immediate and potentially more stable solution while the government continues investing in domestic generation, transmission lines, and distribution networks.
The government must also ensure that power projects are implemented transparently and efficiently. Delays in infrastructure development have consequences for the wider economy. Investors are less likely to establish businesses in an environment where electricity cannot be relied upon, while existing businesses struggle to expand.
South Sudan has enormous economic potential, but that potential cannot be fully realised without dependable energy.
Yesterday’s shutdown should therefore serve as another wake-up call. Businesses cannot be expected to increase productivity when essential services remain unreliable.
The government should move with urgency to finalise the necessary arrangements for electricity connectivity with Uganda while simultaneously strengthening domestic power infrastructure.
Reliable electricity means longer working hours, lower business costs, better services, increased investment, and more employment opportunities.
For a young country seeking economic development, keeping the lights on is not merely about convenience.
God protect South Sudan.
Be the spectator!