By Sabri Dibaco
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), including Zain and MTN, have pledged to comply with South Sudan’s cash payment policy and settle outstanding tax arrears owed to the government.
The commitment was made during a meeting between the Minister of Finance and Planning, Athian Ding Athian, and representatives of telecommunications companies in Juba on Monday.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the government and telecom companies, with particular attention to the implementation of the cash payment policy directed by the Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reform in July 2026.
Representatives of the telecom companies stressed their commitment to comply with the directive and abandon electronic payment arrangements for settling their tax obligations.
“The representatives of mobile network operators stressed their commitment to relinquish electronic payment and abide by the cash payment policy to settle all their tax arrears owed to the government.”
The commitment comes as the government continues efforts to strengthen domestic revenue collection and ensure that businesses operating in South Sudan meet their tax obligations.
The government has been engaging key sectors of the economy as part of broader economic reform efforts, including measures aimed at improving tax administration, strengthening revenue collection, and addressing outstanding tax liabilities.
The telecommunications sector is considered an important part of the country’s economy, providing mobile communication and digital services to millions of people while contributing taxes and other revenues to the government.
The meeting also brought together senior economic officials, including the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Addis Ababa Othow; the First Undersecretary for Finance, Malual Tab; and the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, Rizig Dominic.
However, the ministry did not disclose the total value of tax arrears owed by the telecom companies or the specific deadline for clearing the outstanding obligations.