The government of South Sudan has unveiled plans to import electricity from Uganda, its southern neighbor, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen its national power supply network. The ambitious project is expected to cost approximately USD 130 million, with funding support coming from international partners.
Engineer Manyuon Deng, South Sudan’s representative to the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), disclosed that the funding package includes an USD 80 million grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and an additional USD 50 million from the European Union (EU). These funds will be directed toward the development and extension of power infrastructure capable of serving the country’s three major regions: Greater Equatoria, Upper Nile, and Bahr el Ghazal.
The project represents a significant step in Juba’s ongoing efforts to expand electricity access across the country and drive national development. By tapping into Uganda’s power grid, South Sudan aims to address its chronic energy shortages and lay the foundation for sustained economic and social growth.
Currently, only an estimated 5.4% of South Sudan’s population is connected to the national grid, according to World Bank data. The country, which became the world’s newest nation in 2011, faces major energy infrastructure gaps that hinder development.
As a member of the East African Community (EAC), South Sudan’s population—estimated at 8.26 million—stands to benefit substantially from enhanced power connectivity, which will support industries, public services, and overall living standards.
