South Sudan’s exports to the EU were absolutely minimal in the past period, a turnaround occurred in 2020, when South Sudanese exports increased significantly. The same trend continued in 2021, when South Sudanese exports to the EU increased more than 3 times compared to the previous year.
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Exports from the EU (million EUR)
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
Imports into the EU (million EUR)
0.4
0.2
1.9
21.5
75.1
Balance with the EU (million EUR)
-33.9
-33.2
-48.6
-24.4
28.9
Source: European Commission
Trade relations with the Czech Republic
Bilateral trade is at a very low level, however, in 2020 there was a significant strengthening of Czech exports (3-fold growth compared to 2019). In 2021, exports from the Czech Republic returned to a level similar to 2019. South Sudanese exports reached record numbers in 2021, and compared to 2020, they increased almost fourfold. The main items of Czech exports are glass pearls, imitation pearls and precious stones, accumulators, shock absorbers and glass pearls. Cotton (uncarded and uncombed), intestines, bladders, stomachs and combined cooling and freezing equipment are exported from South Sudan to the Czech Republic.
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Exports from the Czech Republic (million CZK)
8,084
5,641
4,080
13,589
3,911
Import to the Czech Republic (million CZK)
2,019
0.156
0.815
0.948
3,648
Balance with the Czech Republic (million CZK)
-6.065
-5.485
-3.266
-12.641
-0.263
Source: CZSO
Trade relations with countries outside the EU
There are no statistics on the trade relations of the Republic of South Sudan with countries outside the EU.
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Exports from countries outside the EU (million EUR)
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
Imports to countries outside the EU (million EUR)
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
Balance with non-EU countries (million EUR)
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
Source: EIU, Eurostat
Foreign direct investment
The Ministry of Investment was established in South Sudan only in March 2020, when it was separated from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The South Sudanese government has compiled a list of strategic projects that are open to foreign capital. The oil industry is not a priority, these include agriculture, healthcare and the mining sector. Currently, the government is working on the implementation of a “one-stop-shop”, which would facilitate orientation for local and foreign entities. Currently, it is necessary to obtain the necessary permits from many institutions, such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Investment, etc. The main challenges for investors are insufficient infrastructure and unavailability or blackouts of electricity. The Ministry is trying to motivate investors to invest outside the capital, but investments are still at a very low level, investors are not sufficiently familiar with the environment, they do not have sufficient information, and South Sudanese PR abroad is essentially non-existent. The Ministry of Investment should be the first stop for any potential investor, as it can provide the necessary information and oversee the entire process. China, Ethiopia and Somalia are currently the biggest investors in Malaysia’s oil sector.
Statistics and data on foreign direct investment in South Sudan, as well as economic data, are unknown. Risks for investors are related to the political and security situation in the country, rampant corruption and the unpredictability of tax and other rules.
FTAs and treaties
Treaties with the EU
Of the 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Sudan is the only country that is not a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement.
Contracts with the Czech Republic
No trade-economic agreements have been concluded or negotiated between South Sudan and the Czech Republic.
Developmental cooperation
South Sudan is a recipient of development aid. The EU’s main development aid instrument for South Sudan is the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF). Under this instrument, the EU has so far released a total of EUR 139 million between 2015 and 2019. Since South Sudan is not a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement, bilateral development cooperation with its government is not possible. European development projects focus on the areas of water (access to drinking water, treatment of used water), agriculture and food security (supporting the productivity of small farmers) as well as access to energy and the availability of basic services.
Prospective fields of study (MOP)
The Republic of South Sudan is not included in the ILO.
Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)
This type of service is practically non-existent in South Sudan. It is recommended to obtain the mobile phone number of the manager of the hotel where the traveler is staying. For accommodation, e.g. Crown Hotel Juba, tel.: 00211-9118800800, 917007000 is suitable. Basic health care is provided by e.g. Care Plus International Medical Centre, tel.: 00211-977315100.
Important web links and contacts
South Sudan Nation www.southsudannation.com
United Nations in South Sudan www.ss.undp.org
Embassy of South Sudan in Berlin www.embassy-southsudan.de/?lang=en
Embassy of South Sudan in Addis Ababa [email protected], tel. 00251 11 662 01 95
South Sudan Chamber of Commerce www.facebook.com/southsudanchamberofcommerce
