South Sudan, UNDP Sign $5 Million Public Finance Reform

By: Ginaba Lino

The Government of South Sudan, through the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has signed a 5 million US dollar agreement to strengthen public finance management, in what officials described as a historic milestone toward improving accountability and service delivery.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit, and the UNDP Resident Representative, Mohamed Abuchir.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister of Finance and Planning Salvatore Garang Mabiordit said the five-year Public Finance Management (PFM) Reform Support Project reflects a strong government commitment to enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the use of public resources.

“This is a truly historic moment for South Sudan,” he said. “The signing of this US$5 million project sends a clear signal that public finance management is a top priority for the government.”

The project will be jointly implemented by UNDP and the Ministry of Finance and Planning, marking a significant shift toward national ownership. South Sudanese professionals will lead the technical work under the ministry, with UNDP providing implementation support.

Mabiordit also commended development partners for their longstanding contributions, noting that the agreement represents a turning point as the government begins to directly finance its reform agenda.

“This is the first time the Government of South Sudan is providing resources to the UN system to implement its own priorities,” he said, praising the ministry’s leadership.

Government officials emphasized that the project aligns with national priorities and forms part of commitments under Chapter Four of the peace agreement, which focuses on economic and financial management reforms.

Minister Mabiordit underscored the government’s ownership of the initiative, stressing that financing the reform program is a national responsibility.

“This project is government-led, and it is our responsibility to fund it,” he said. “While we appreciate the support of our partners, the time has come to deepen these reforms using our own resources.”

The undersecretary Benjamin Ayali Koyongwa said the government will contribute approximately 90 percent of the total funding over the five-year period, with disbursements made annually.

The reform program aims to strengthen financial systems, enhance accountability, and reduce wasteful expenditure. Key components include capacity building for public officials, institutional strengthening, and the expansion of reforms to sub-national levels such as states and counties.

The officials highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the rollout of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and a nationwide biometric civil service headcount, as key steps already producing results.

“We have completed phase one and are now moving to deepen the process,” a senior official said. “Effective public finance management is essential for generating the resources needed to deliver services to our people.”

The reforms are also expected to improve service delivery in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and job creation.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Mohamed Abuchir, notes that public finance management reform is a long-term process that requires sustained commitment. The latest initiative is expected to build on previous donor-supported programs and lay the foundation for stronger, more sustainable financial governance.

“PFM is not an event; it is a process,” Abuchir said. “What we are witnessing today is not the end, but the beginning of a long journey.”

The government has also called on additional partners to support the initiative, while reaffirming its commitment to leading reforms that ensure prudent management of public resources for the benefit of all citizens.