Government, SSRA Explore Funding Options to Rehabilitate Juba–Nimule Highway

By Emmanuel Patrick Laku

The Government of South Sudan is exploring funding options to urgently rehabilitate the Juba–Nimule Highway, the country’s busiest trade corridor linking South Sudan to Uganda and the wider East African region.

The initiative was discussed during a high-level meeting involving the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, and the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA).

The delegation, led by Minister of Finance and Planning Kuol Daniel Ayulo and Minister of Roads and Bridges Peter Lam Both, met with SSRA Commissioner General Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet to examine sustainable financing mechanisms for the rehabilitation of the highway, which serves as South Sudan’s main gateway for imports and regional trade.

Speaking after the meeting, Malual Tap Dieu, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Finance and Planning, described the Juba–Nimule Highway as the country’s economic lifeline and stressed the need for immediate intervention.

“The main topic was the Juba–Nimule Highway rehabilitation. We met with the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority to find ways of funding this vital road. It is the only lifeline for us as a country, and we are working together to mobilize enough resources to rehabilitate it,” he said.

Dieu added that while the technical teams had held extensive discussions, the proposed funding arrangements would now be presented to the country’s leadership for approval before implementation begins.

The Juba–Nimule Highway carries the majority of South Sudan’s imports, with thousands of commercial trucks passing through the Nimule Border Crossing each year. However, the road’s deteriorating condition has slowed cargo movement, increased transport costs, disrupted supply chains, and affected customs operations and revenue collection.

SSRA Commissioner General Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet said the road’s rehabilitation is essential to the country’s economy and requires close coordination among government institutions.

“The Juba–Nimule Highway needs urgent intervention. We appreciate the Ministry of Roads and Bridges for taking the initiative.

Our leadership in the Ministries of Finance and Roads will take the matter forward, while the technical teams will provide the necessary information to ensure the rehabilitation begins as soon as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Makur, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, revealed that several companies had expressed interest in carrying out the rehabilitation works, with proposals ranging from US$57 million to US$100 million.

He said the government’s priority is to identify the most practical and sustainable option to restore the highway and keep traffic moving.

“Several companies are ready to undertake the rehabilitation. What is important is finding the best approach to ensure traffic continues to flow because this road is our lifeline. Without intervention, the movement of goods into Juba will be severely affected,” Makur said.

The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving strategic infrastructure that supports trade, facilitates revenue collection, and drives economic growth.

Once rehabilitated, the Juba–Nimule Highway is expected to improve the flow of goods and people, reduce transportation costs, strengthen regional trade, enhance border operations, and boost domestic revenue mobilisation.