Foundation stone laid for $5M warehouse in South Sudan

JUBA — South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art customs-bonded warehouse in Juba, marking a major step toward modernizing the country’s trade infrastructure.

The $5 million facility, funded by the government, will be constructed at the previous customs office next to the Juba Raha Hotel.

The warehouse is expected to enhance the country’s capacity to manage imports and exports efficiently.

It will serve as a secure storage space for goods pending customs clearance, reducing congestion at border points and curbing revenue leakages due to smuggling and informal trade.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Juba on Wednesday, Simon Akuei, Commissioner General of SSRA, said the warehouse will play a vital role in strengthening revenue collection and trade facilitation.

“This initiative marks a significant milestone, underscoring our commitment to enhance trade facilitation, efficient customs operation, and robust revenue collection. In the modern world of technology, the establishment of such a facility brings numerous advantages,” said Akuei.

Akuei said the facility would enhance the smooth flow of trade and faster clearance of goods, benefiting both importers and exporters.

“With state-of-the-art technology, we will implement cutting-edge inventory management systems,” he added.

He said the warehouse will complement a national network of dry ports, which is key to curbing smuggled goods from entering the country.

“The warehouse will feature advanced security protocols and technology, reducing the risk of smuggling and ensuring compliance with international trade regulation and standards,” Akuei said.

He said customs-bonded warehouses will strengthen taxmen’s ability to prevent revenue leakages.

For his part, Eng. Bereket Samuel, General Manager of Zeregaber General Trading—a company tasked to construct the building—said the facility will be operational next year.

Meanwhile, Akech Tong, Commissioner for the Customs Division, urged the contractor to put up a standard building.

“Because there are some contractors given a contract, and they make it for a period of 5 or 10 years, and then they are complaining about that—this is what I will not allow. The team of custom SSRA has to make sure the materials are quality materials,” said Malek.

The customs boss underscored that it is the first of its kind in the history of South Sudan to construct an ultramodern bonded customs warehouse.