JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced a phased adjustment of the telecommunications tariff exchange rate, citing rising operational costs and the need to sustain reliable telecommunications services across the country.
Addressing the media in Juba on Thursday, NCA Director General Rizig Dominie Samuel said the measure is intended to safeguard the sustainability of South Sudan’s telecommunications sector and preserve national connectivity amid mounting economic challenges.
According to the Authority, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in South Sudan have been facing increased operational costs due to global rises in energy prices, domestic inflation, the depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP), limited access to foreign currency, and the need to maintain and upgrade telecommunications infrastructure in line with global standards.
Samuel said the Authority was concerned that without timely intervention, operators could be forced to scale down operations, leading to service disruptions and reduced connectivity across South Sudan.
To address the situation, the NCA conducted extensive consultations with stakeholders, including the Ministry of ICT and Postal Services, the Parliamentary Committee on ICT, other specialized committees, the NCA Management Board, Mobile Network Operators, and Civil Society Organizations.
The consultations culminated in the adoption of Council of Ministers Resolution No. 13/2026, which directed relevant institutions to take appropriate measures to address challenges affecting South Sudan’s telecommunications sector.
Following the consultations, the NCA Board of Directors approved a regulatory intervention in accordance with the National Communications Act, 2012.
The Authority subsequently approved a phased adjustment of the telecommunications tariff exchange rate, which will take effect on 26 June 2026 at 12:00 a.m.
The NCA emphasized that the measure is a “Tariff Exchange Rate Adjustment” and not a “Tariff Increase,” noting that the underlying telecommunications tariffs in South Sudan have remained unchanged for the past ten years.
According to the Authority, the phased implementation is designed to ensure a gradual transition, minimize the impact on consumers, and allow for continuous assessment of the intervention alongside other government support measures.
The NCA acknowledged the economic burden facing South Sudanese citizens and stated that Mobile Network Operators have been required to absorb a significant portion of the inflationary pressures. It added that the approved adjustments are limited to the minimum necessary to ensure the sustainability of telecommunications services.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer interests and pledged to closely monitor implementation to ensure improved service quality and the continued reliability of telecommunications services nationwide.
Samuel thanked the people of South Sudan for their resilience and understanding, stressing the importance of maintaining the country’s essential digital connectivity.
“We thank our citizens and the public for their resilience and understanding as we work to maintain our nation’s essential digital connectivity,” he said.
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