South Sudan Joins Push for Africa Wide Industrial Standards at ARSO Assembly

(Arusha) – South Sudan participated in the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) General Assembly held on 25 June 2025 and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing industrial development through harmonized standards across the continent.

The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) represented the country at the regional event, which focused on supporting sustainable industrialization in Africa.

The assembly was officially opened by H.E. Othman Masoud Othman Sharif and brought together representatives from various African states to discuss standardization as a tool for regional integration, trade expansion, and sustainable growth.

The event marked the launch of seven new publications aimed at strengthening the continent’s quality assurance systems. These include harmonized African standards, guidelines on sustainability, and frameworks promoting innovation in areas such as edible insect farming, an emerging industry seen as both eco-friendly and cost effective.

The SSNBS stated that it plans to apply the knowledge and frameworks shared during the assembly to enhance South Sudan’s national quality infrastructure.

South Sudan aims to increase the competitiveness of its local industries, facilitate easier trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and ensure consumer safety by aligning with African wide standards,

Standardization has become increasingly important for South Sudan as the country seeks to diversify its economy, reduce import dependency, and foster local production in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, construction, and pharmaceuticals.

Participating in regional platforms like ARSO allows South Sudan to stay informed of best practices and ensures that its domestic policies are in harmony with broader continental goals.

According to the SSNBS, strengthening national standards will support industrial development and build trust in South Sudanese goods and services, making them more acceptable in regional and global markets. This is especially vital at a time when Africa is moving toward deeper economic integration.

The SSNBS described the assembly as a strategic moment for South Sudan to enhance its technical capabilities and to contribute to a shared vision of a prosperous and sustainable Africa.

The Bureau said it would continue to work with other national and regional stakeholders to build a robust regulatory framework that promotes innovation and quality in all sectors of the economy.

Standardization practices, once implemented, are expected to improve the business environment, reduce costs linked to product recalls or market rejections, and help attract investment.

For South Sudan, such initiatives are seen as central to post conflict economic recovery and long term development.