Clearing Agents Push for Better Banking Services in Nimule

(WAU) – A major gathering of freight forwarders opened in Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Thursday, 2 July 2026, to tackle challenges facing the sector and improve service delivery across South Sudan.

A delegation from the South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association, led by Chairperson Daniel Deng, arrived in Wau on Thursday. The visit is for a five day workshop and the association’s Annual General Meeting.

Speaking to the press upon arrival, Daniel Deng said the workshop will focus on strengthening the association’s activities across all states and the three administrative areas of South Sudan.

He explained that participants will discuss the challenges facing the freight forwarding sector and explore possible solutions to improve the association’s performance and service delivery.

Daniel Deng further noted that the meeting is being attended by representatives of the association from different parts of the country. He said this provides an opportunity to exchange experiences and deliberate on key issues affecting the freight forwarding industry in South Sudan.

The Wau meeting follows a series of engagements by the association in recent months. On 15 May 2026, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Dr. Labanya Margaret Mathya, received a high level delegation from the South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association in Juba.

The delegation formally invited the Minister to the upcoming Global Logistics Convention, set to take place from 25 to 27 August 2026.

During that meeting, the delegation briefed the Minister on the importance of the convention in streamlining regional trade and improving South Sudan’s logistics infrastructure.

The official launch for the convention was set for the end of May 2026. Dr. Labanya Margaret Mathya expressed her appreciation for the invitation and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that facilitate smoother cross border trade and economic growth.

The South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association also held a strategic meeting with Mr. Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Digi Cash. The discussion focused on exploring the integration of secure digital payment solutions for attendance registration and participation at the upcoming Global Logistics Convention. The aim is to improve efficiency and ensure a smooth attendee experience.

On Thursday, 2 July 2026, the SSFFA Nimule Station office welcomed a team from Cooperative Bank’s National Office. The team was led by Mr. John Njihia, Head of Business and Branch Banking, alongside the new Nimule Branch Manager, Mr. Chol Akuei.

The visit centred on strengthening collaboration. The SSFFA office raised concerns on behalf of clearing agents, including documentation burdens, liquidity constraints, limited physical training by financial institutions and high bank charges.

Cooperative Bank committed to reviewing account opening requirements and temporary overdraft interest charges. The bank also agreed to prioritise physical workshops going forward. Both sides affirmed a renewed partnership in service of the clearing community.