(JUBA) – The government has directed mobile network operators Zain, MTN and Digitel to settle all tax obligations in cash. The move forms part of a wider push to strengthen domestic revenue collection and ease a severe liquidity crisis.
The directive was issued by the Ministerial High Level Committee on Economic Reform in July 2026. It requires businesses operating in South Sudan to pay taxes in cash, including at border cargo clearance points.
Under the policy, 13 commercial banks that collect revenue on behalf of the South Sudan Revenue Authority must also remit funds to the Ministry of Finance in cash.
Caretaker Minister of Finance and Planning Athian Ding Athian convened a meeting with representatives of the telecom companies in Juba. Talks focused on implementing the cash policy and strengthening cooperation between the government and the operators.
The telecom representatives committed to comply with the directive. They also agreed to abandon electronic payment arrangements for settling their tax obligations.
“The representatives of mobile network operators stressed their commitment to relinquish electronic payment and abide by the cash payment policy to settle all their tax arrears owed to the government,” a statement from the meeting read.
The ministry did not disclose the total value of tax arrears owed by the telecom companies. It also did not set a specific deadline for clearing the outstanding obligations.
The cash payment policy was introduced in July 2026. It aims to ease a liquidity crisis and ensure the government can pay civil servants and organised forces.
Public Service Minister Gatkuoth Biel said the digital tax system would continue to record transactions through Capital Pay. The platform supports electronic revenue tracking.
The policy has been reviewed at the highest levels of government. During the 18th regular meeting of the Ministerial High Level Committee on Economic Reform in September 2026, representatives of MTN, Zain and Digitel briefed the committee on their position regarding the cash payment requirement.
The government has faced mounting pressure to increase domestic revenue. Donor support is shrinking and oil revenue remains volatile.
Benjamin Ayali Koyongwa, Undersecretary for Planning at the Ministry of Finance, said in February 2026 that weak enforcement of tax laws and policy loopholes were costing the country millions of dollars annually.
Oil provides about 90% of government revenue. However, production and exports have been disrupted by conflict in neighbouring Sudan.
The economy contracted by 30% in 2025, according to an International Rescue Committee report published in February 2026. The report estimated daily losses from disrupted oil exports at $7 million.
Non-oil revenue collection remains limited. Value added tax accounts for less than 1% of total public revenue. This is far below the regional average of at least 25%. The government has announced plans to introduce an expanded value added tax regime.
Mobile money has expanded rapidly in South Sudan. More than 5 million active wallet users are registered across the country. Mobile money transactions now exceed traditional banking transactions in volume.
The Bank of South Sudan has publicly supported the growth of mobile money platforms such as MTN MoMo. It note their potential to accelerate financial inclusion and assist in tax collection.
However, the government’s decision to require cash payments for taxes runs counter to the broader digitalisation trend. The South Sudan Revenue Authority had previously ordered the termination of cash transactions at the Nimule border post in April 2026. All payments were to be processed through official systems and deposited directly into banks.
The finance ministry did not explain how the cash payment policy would be reconciled with existing digital collection systems.
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