Unregulated Taxation Dominates Trade Ministry and Chamber of Commerce Meeting

(JUBA) – The Ministry of Trade and Industry has held a high level meeting with the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SSCCIA) to discuss major challenges facing the country’s business and trade environment.

The talks, held in Juba on 18 July 2025, aimed to strengthen public-private dialogue and address key policy and regulatory concerns.

National Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Atong Kuol Manyang, led the government delegation. The SSCCIA was represented by its Chairperson, Hon. Ladu Lukak, alongside other top officials including Hon. Simon Nyang Anei, the Ministry’s Technical Advisor.

According to the Ministry’s press unit, the Chamber’s leadership paid a courtesy visit to express support for the Minister’s ongoing efforts to reform trade policy and improve the performance of the Ministry. The Chamber praised recent steps taken by the Ministry to create a more favourable environment for trade and investment in South Sudan.

During the discussions, SSCCIA officials raised several issues that they said are hindering smooth business operations across the country. One of the key concerns was the burden of multiple taxation, which many businesses say is increasing operational costs and discouraging investment.

The Chamber also criticised the unilateral introduction of new taxes by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) without proper consultation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Business leaders stressed the need for better coordination between institutions to avoid confusion and overlapping regulations.

Another major concern was the lack of policy harmonisation between national and state levels. According to the Chamber, inconsistent policies are making trade operations unpredictable, with businesses facing different rules depending on their location.

Participants also highlighted poor inter agency coordination, particularly between the NRA and other relevant bodies. This, they said, leads to conflicting instructions and enforcement actions that affect the smooth movement of goods and services.

The issue of unauthorised revenue collection was also raised. Business leaders noted that some taxes are being collected by groups not legally empowered to do so, including elements of the traffic police and military personnel. They called on the Ministry to take urgent steps to stop these practices.

Concerns were also raised about the Certificate of Origin, which the NRA reportedly began issuing without formal procedures. The Chamber said that only the Ministry of Trade and Industry has the legal authority to oversee such processes and must coordinate any changes in issuance policy.

The parties also discussed cross border trade with Uganda, identifying opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation and ease trade flows between the two countries.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Atong Kuol Manyang assured participants that the government is making solid progress on implementing the outcomes of the First National Trade Forum. She pledged to continue engaging all stakeholders in the sector and confirmed that a follow-up meeting will be held after her return from a working visit to South Africa.

The Ministry reiterated its full commitment to addressing trade barriers and fostering a more open, transparent and business friendly environment in South Sudan.

Excessive and unregulated taxation continues to significantly impact the cost of doing business. The Ministry has promised to review the implications of these policies.

Summary of Key Business Concerns