BoSS Eyes Stronger National Payment System by 2027

(JUBA) – The Board of Directors of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), led by Governor Hon. Dr. Addis Ababa Othow, convened in Juba on 18 July 2025 to review key strategies aimed at improving the country’s financial sector. The meeting focused on enhancing monetary governance, supporting macroeconomic development and strengthening the Bank’s oversight of financial institutions.

A central part of the discussion was the Bank’s goal to ensure that by the end of 2027, at least 80% of South Sudan’s financial institutions meet both capital adequacy and financial soundness standards.

This goal is part of a broader effort to bring stability and confidence to the country’s fragile financial system, which remains vulnerable due to years of conflict and limited formal economic infrastructure.

The board also reviewed the development of the National Payment System (NPS), aiming for full compliance with internationally accepted principles for financial market infrastructure. Such principles include reliability, transparency, and risk reduction in financial transactions, which are vital to modern banking and cross-border trade.

Improving the NPS is seen as a crucial step in South Sudan’s journey toward greater financial inclusion and integration with regional and global markets. The Bank hopes that a strong payment system will support broader economic reforms, reduce transaction costs and enhance access to financial services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

This latest board meeting followed the conclusion of a separate five day workshop held earlier in July on Risk Based Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) supervision.

That event was designed to equip BoSS and Financial Intelligence Unit staff with tools to detect and combat financial crimes more effectively and in line with global standards.

The Bank’s leadership has underlined that these reform efforts are aligned with its current strategic plan. By setting concrete targets, such as capital adequacy compliance and operational national payment infrastructure, BoSS aims to build a more resilient banking system and create conditions for long term economic growth.

As of July 2025, the exchange rate remains SSP 4,600 to 1 USD, underlining the ongoing need for cautious economic policy and strong financial institutions in an inflation-sensitive economy.

Key 2027 Financial Sector Targets