(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – South Sudan’s Second National Trade Forum has concluded in Juba with a set of recommendations aimed at moving the country from reliance on imports toward local production and deeper regional trade ties. The two day event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, brought together senior government officials, development partners, and private sector players under the theme “From Potential to Prosperity: Harnessing South Sudan’s Competitiveness for Regional Trade Integration.”
The forum opened on 19 June 2026 with a call from the Minister of East African Affairs, General Pieng Deng Kuol, for greater investment in local manufacturing and value addition. He said that reducing the country’s heavy dependence on imports was vital for creating jobs, building economic strength, and improving the trade balance. General Kuol noted that boosting domestic production is a central step toward a more resilient national economy.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Labanya Margaret Mathya, spoke about the need to build a business environment that can draw in both local and foreign investors. She said that creating the right conditions for business was a priority for the ministry. The forum was organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in partnership with TradeMark Africa, an organisation that supports trade facilitation across the continent.
On the second and final day, 20 June 2026, the closing session was attended by the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Joseph Ngere Päciko, alongside Dr Mathya and other senior government figures. Participants reviewed key points from the discussions held over the two days, which covered trade facilitation, regional integration, and the growth of the private sector.
Speaker Päciko praised the Ministry of Trade and Industry and TradeMark Africa for putting together the forum. He stressed the importance of building strong institutions and developing human capital. He also highlighted the need to promote local production and to invest in critical infrastructure such as roads and electricity. These improvements, he said, are needed to improve market access across the country and to allow businesses to reach customers more easily.
In her closing remarks, Dr Mathya thanked the Speaker, TradeMark Africa, and all those who took part in the forum. She said there was a clear need to bring digital tools to local markets, to strengthen research and data collection through institutions like the University of Juba, and to increase cooperation with development partners. Better data and research, she argued, would help drive trade policies that are based on solid evidence.
The minister noted that collaboration with development partners remains essential for building a trade policy framework that works for South Sudan. She said the forum had provided a platform for honest discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing the country as it seeks to connect more fully with regional markets.
The forum ended with a joint call for stronger partnerships and practical action to unlock South Sudan’s trade and industrial potential. A roadmap was expected to be produced from the discussions, setting out steps to advance the country’s trade and industrial agenda.