Juba Targets Private Sector Growth Through Chinese Cooperation

(JUBA) – The National Minister of Trade and Industry Atong Kuol Manyang has called for deeper cooperation between South Sudan and China during the China, South Sudan High Level Peace and Development Symposium held in Juba on 25 August 2025.

Speaking at the symposium, themed “A Joint Symposium for Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity”, Atong highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral ties.

She said the long standing partnership with China has already benefited South Sudan in petroleum, construction and education but stressed that greater collaboration is needed to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Minister said SMEs remain the backbone of South Sudan’s private sector but face many obstacles, including poor access to finance and limited technical skills.

She noted that China’s vast experience in economic transformation and poverty reduction could help South Sudan design better policies to empower entrepreneurs.

Proposed Areas of Collaboration

The Trade Minister said South Sudan’s partnership with China has already allowed many South Sudanese professionals and students to benefit from training programmes abroad. However, she warned that the legacy of conflict and ongoing instability continues to hold back national development and investor confidence.

She stressed that peace remains the foundation for growth, adding that economic reforms will only succeed if political stability is maintained.

The Minister further explained that South Sudan can adapt lessons from China’s rapid economic rise, which combined infrastructure development with targeted poverty alleviation. She said with Chinese investment, knowledge transfer and support, South Sudan could replicate strategies that have lifted millions of people out of poverty.

“We see SMEs as the engine of growth. If given the right support, they can provide jobs, reduce poverty and strengthen our economy.”

The symposium ended with calls from both sides to sustain cooperation. Atong expressed optimism that with political will and international support, South Sudan can overcome its current economic challenges and achieve long term growth.