Nunu: Parliament Ready for 2025–2026 National Budget Review

(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has received a comprehensive briefing from the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, on Parliament’s recent legislative work and preparations for the upcoming national budget for the 2025–2026 financial year.

The meeting was held on Thursday, 7 August 2025, at the State House in Juba. Speaker Nunu informed the President that the draft national budget is expected to be presented to Parliament in the coming days for debate and approval. She reaffirmed Parliament’s readiness to deliberate on the fiscal document once submitted by the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

Nunu praised President Kiir for his consistent support of the Legislature, noting that this backing has enabled Parliament to carry out its constitutional roles effectively, particularly in lawmaking and government oversight.

She stressed that close cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature continues to drive peace efforts, development and delivery of public services throughout the country.

It is not clear if this  year’s national budget will follow last year’s financial blueprint, which was formally tabled on 25 September 2024 by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater.

In his 2024–2025 budget speech, Minister Dongrin acknowledged delays in submission but committed to prompt execution upon parliamentary approval. He highlighted South Sudan’s economic growth forecast of 6.8%, one of the highest in the East African region, despite significant macroeconomic challenges.

The 2024–2025 budget was framed under the theme: “To Accelerate Economic Recovery through Improving Livelihoods, Sustaining Peace and Investing in Critical Social Services and Agriculture.”

It set out a proposed total expenditure of SSP 4.172 trillion (approximately USD 907 million) against a resource envelope of SSP 2.258 trillion (around USD 491 million), with an expected oil income of SSP 1.138 trillion (USD 247 million) and non oil revenue of SSP 1.119 trillion (USD 243 million). The budget left a financing gap of nearly SSP 1.914 trillion (USD 416 million).

Minister Dongrin proposed a combination of strategies to reduce the deficit, including the resumption of Dar Blend oil production and export, which could recover up to 70% of projected oil revenues, estimated at SSP 1.7 trillion (USD 370 million). He also called for donor collaboration to secure grants and concessional loans in support of South Sudan’s Public Financial Management reforms.

The minister highlighted economic setbacks in the previous fiscal year, including a 5% contraction in GDP due to prolonged drought, severe flooding, and the shutdown of the Dar Blend pipeline following conflict in Sudan. Oil and gas output reportedly dropped by 70% in the final quarter of 2023–2024, significantly weakening the country’s revenue base.

To promote sustainable economic growth, the government allocated SSP 255 billion (USD 55.4 million) to the agriculture sector to strengthen food security and SSP 75 billion (USD 16.3 million) to incentivise investment in the mining sector as part of broader diversification efforts. The finance minister also proposed two new bills, the Insurance Bill and the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Bill  to strengthen financial regulation and broaden the domestic revenue base.

Expectations are cautious that the new fiscal framework will build on previous goals, focusing on peace consolidation, governance reform, economic stabilisation, and delivering essential services to citizens as the 2025–2026 budget cycle approaches.

2024/2025 Budget Summary