By: Ginaba Lino
The Government of South Sudan has approved the long-awaited national budget of 7 trillion South Sudanese Pounds for the 2025/2026 fiscal year during Friday’s ordinary Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The Cabinet instructed the Minister of Finance and Planning to formally present the spending plan to the national parliament for scrutiny and final approval. According to the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, the proposed budget carries a deficit of 1.5 trillion SSP.
He said the Finance Minister assured the Council that the government is working to strengthen revenue collection mechanisms to narrow the deficit.
Makuei said the Council also received a presentation from the Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak, on a proposed major road project linking South Sudan to Ethiopia, with access to the port of Djibouti. He noted that the route is expected to become a vital transport corridor for exporting South Sudan’s crude oil to international markets.
During the deliberations, President Kiir directed all ministries to improve institutional performance and uphold accountability in implementing government programs.
In a move aimed at curbing revenue leakages, the Cabinet imposed a suspension on unnecessary tax and duty exemptions, blaming such exemptions for significant financial losses to the state. The Council also agreed that no individual or official should negotiate or sign government loans without adhering to established legal procedures, an action intended to protect the country’s financial credibility and prevent unauthorized borrowing.
The budget now awaits parliamentary debate and approval before implementation can begin.