Banking Skills Survey Launched in South Sudan

(JUBA) – A skills assessment of South Sudan’s banking and finance sector is being developed to identify gaps and guide future training programmes through the South Sudan Institute of Banking and Finance.

The Bank of South Sudan held a stakeholder workshop on Tuesday to validate the assessment, which is being conducted by A2F Consulting on behalf of the central bank. The workshop brought together representatives from the Bank of South Sudan, financial institutions, and training institutions to review the proposed survey and key informant interview tools and provide feedback ahead of wider data collection.

Abraham Dut Malek, Director of Internal Audit at the Bank of South Sudan, urged participants to provide practical input to ensure the assessment reflects the workforce needs of the sector.

Atem Bul, 3SF Project Coordinator, said the engagement would help capture the changing skills requirements of South Sudan’s financial sector.

The assessment is expected to improve relevant training programmes and strengthen professional capacity across the sector.

In a separate development, the Bank of South Sudan Board of Directors held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to review and strengthen key monetary and banking policies. The meeting was chaired by the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Addis Ababa Othow.

Board members stressed the importance of a strong policy framework to maintain monetary and financial stability and to strengthen the ability of the banking sector to withstand shocks. Governor Othow reaffirmed the commitment of the central bank to sound monetary and banking policies that safeguard financial stability and confidence in South Sudan’s financial system.

Last month, the British Ambassador to South Sudan, David Ashley, paid a courtesy visit to the Bank of South Sudan on August 25, where he met Governor Othow to discuss monetary policy, digital payments, and strengthening cooperation in the banking sector.

Ambassador Ashley congratulated Governor Othow on his reappointment and expressed support for continued cooperation. Governor Othow briefed the ambassador on his priorities, including strengthening monetary policy, currency management, and advancing the National Payment System.

He said the Ministry of Finance and the central bank are working closely to implement the Integrated Financial Management Information System, while engaging telecommunication companies and mobile money operators to expand digital payment services.

“I believe with the plan we have now, it will help us to realise our digital payment systems and move faster toward a digital economy,” Governor Othow said.

The two officials also discussed the implementation of the recommendations of the Ministerial High Level Committee to strengthen the banking sector and restore public confidence in South Sudan’s financial system.

The meeting was attended by Charles Abugo Joseph, Director General of Research and Economic Analysis at the Bank of South Sudan, and Nicolas Salway, Economic Advisor at the British Embassy.