(NAIROBI) – The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) has confirmed that the country will formally join the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) by the end of August 2025. The announcement follows a recent official mission to Nairobi led by BoSS Governor, Hon. Dr Addis Ababa Othow, who held talks with AERC Executive Director, Professor Victor Murinde.
The decision signals a new chapter in South Sudan’s efforts to build institutional economic capacity and deepen regional cooperation in policy research and training. It also forms part of the Bank’s broader internal reform programme aimed at improving its role in economic forecasting, monetary policy management, and currency regulation.
During the Nairobi meeting, both institutions agreed on a framework to enable BoSS economists to access specialised training in macroeconomic modelling, research methods and forecasting techniques. AERC also pledged to support South Sudanese professionals through its PhD Twinning Programme, which links African scholars with global academic institutions.
“AERC will offer tailored training to BoSS economists and provide financing for doctoral studies,” said Professor Murinde. “This partnership is designed to support the development of strong, evidence based policy institutions across Africa.”
Dr Othow described the collaboration as timely, noting that BoSS would benefit greatly from scientific research and peer reviewed knowledge in areas such as currency stability, inflation control and financial systems management. He reiterated the Bank’s commitment to ongoing reforms aimed at modernising its operations and enhancing decision-making through credible data.
An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being prepared and is expected to be signed in Juba before the end of August. The MoU will cover several areas of cooperation, including:
| Area of Cooperation | Details |
|---|---|
| Policy Research | Joint work on macroeconomic and financial research |
| Capacity Building | Graduatelevel training and staff development |
| Doctoral Programme Support | Participation in AERC’s PhD Twinning Scheme |
| Regional Integration | Links to other African central banks and research units |
| Evidence-Based Policymaking | Support for research driven government policy |
AERC, established in 1988, is a pan African public policy research organisation working closely with central banks and ministries of finance across the continent. Its mission is to strengthen local capacity for economic research and policy analysis, while supporting member states’ engagement with institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
South Sudan’s entry into AERC is widely seen as an opportunity to improve the quality of its economic policies, while also giving BoSS access to a wider network of African economic research institutions. It aligns with national priorities of enhancing fiscal and monetary policy management, especially as the country works to stabilise its exchange rate, control inflation and attract investment.
While no specific budget figures have been shared publicly, the Bank expects both technical and financial benefits. Participation in the consortium could indirectly support cost savings by improving internal efficiency and reducing dependence on foreign consultancy services.
The Bank of South Sudan has in recent years taken steps to strengthen its economic role, including restructuring departments, enhancing transparency and introducing new monetary tools. It stands to gain access to Africa’s largest platform for economic research collaboration and knowledge exchange by joining AERC.
Dr Othow stated that the partnership reflects a strategic shift in how BoSS intends to equip itself for modern economic challenges:
“We are positioning South Sudan to engage more effectively with our neighbours and the international community through informed, data driven policymaking.”
Discover more from Access Radio Yei News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
