(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – South Sudan’s Caretaker Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Labanya Margaret Mathya, has called for joint efforts to implement a trade agreement signed with Djibouti in 2025, focusing on the development of river ports along the White Nile and dry ports including one in Yei.
The call came during a courtesy visit by Djibouti’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Hassan Robleh Mahmoud, to Juba on Monday.
The two officials discussed areas of mutual interest aimed at improving and facilitating trade between the two countries.
Dr Labanya said the projects would engage young people in the Upper Nile region to build their future through business .
The 2025 agreement, signed in August last year, provides for the development of White Nile river ports in several locations across the Upper Nile region and dry ports in areas such as Yei.
Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority has previously said the agreement covers river ports at Shambe, Adok, Malakal, Melut, Renk, Wau and Nasir, as well as dry ports at Bazi and Geriger .
The initiative forms part of the White Nile Corridor development plan, which seeks to connect landlocked South Sudan to Djibouti’s ports through multimodal transport routes.
The project is expected to lower transport costs and expand trade options for South Sudan, which currently relies heavily on oil exports and limited transit corridors.
