(JUBA) – South Sudan’s Economic Cluster has endorsed a proposed national budget of SSP 11.335 trillion for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year, equivalent to about US$1.95 billion at the current market exchange rate of SSP 5,800 per US dollar.
The draft budget was approved during an ordinary meeting chaired on Wednesday by Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic Cluster, Prof. James Wani Igga, at the headquarters of the Bank of South Sudan in Juba.
According to an official statement published after the meeting, the cluster reviewed a presentation on the country’s projected resource envelope for the coming fiscal year. The presentation was delivered by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Kuol Daniel Ayulo, under the theme “Building Resilience and Prosperous Sustainable Peace.”
The endorsement now clears the way for the proposed budget to be submitted to the Council of Ministers for consideration before it is forwarded to the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Economic Cluster spokesperson and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Lily Albino Akol confirmed that the budget had been endorsed by the cluster.
She said the spending plan gives priority to agriculture as part of efforts to improve food security and reduce dependence on imports. The budget also allocates attention to the mining and livestock sectors, which the government sees as important areas for economic growth and revenue diversification.
The proposed spending plan comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face pressure from inflation, foreign currency shortages and declining oil revenues, which remain the backbone of public finances. Authorities have increasingly promoted agriculture, livestock and mining as alternative sectors that could support broader economic recovery and create jobs.
Investment in agriculture remains a major focus for policymakers as the country seeks to expand domestic food production and reduce the cost of imported goods. Economists have often pointed to South Sudan’s large areas of arable land and livestock resources as sectors with the potential to improve exports and strengthen rural incomes if supported by stable financing and infrastructure.
The budget proposal is also expected to draw close scrutiny from lawmakers and business groups because of concerns about public spending efficiency, delayed salary payments and the need for stronger fiscal discipline. The government has repeatedly stated that improving non oil revenue collection and restoring investor confidence remain important priorities for economic stability.
If approved by parliament, the 2026 to 2027 budget will guide government spending at a time when regional economies, including South Sudan’s neighbours in East Africa, are dealing with high debt costs, currency pressures and rising demand for public services.
The endorsement by the Economic Cluster marks one of the first major fiscal policy steps ahead of the new financial year and signals the government’s intention to focus on economic resilience, food production and sector diversification beyond oil.