On 16 January 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Dams of South Sudan (official website), in collaboration with the World Bank (World Bank South Sudan projects), inaugurated a five-year energy initiative valued at $53 million. This project, known as the Energy Sector Access and Institutional Strengthening Project (ASSIST), is designed to enhance electricity accessibility and bolster institutional capabilities within the nation’s power sector.
Sultan Lam Tungwar, the Undersecretary of the Ministry, emphasised the project’s significance, stating that increasing electricity access is vital for economic growth, social development, and improved living standards in South Sudan. He highlighted that currently, a mere 1% of the South Sudanese population has access to electricity, which is also prohibitively expensive. The ASSIST project aims to provide more affordable electricity to both residents and businesses.
The project involves expanding and strengthening the existing electricity grid infrastructure in Juba and surrounding areas to ensure a stable and efficient integration of new power sources, including the forthcoming C2 power plant. It also focuses on developing pilot mini-grid systems (what are mini-grids?) to serve communities that are not currently connected to the national grid, thereby extending electricity access to remote areas. In addition, standalone solar systems (solar energy benefits) will be provided to health facilities and selected public institutions, ensuring that essential services have reliable power sources. A crucial element of the initiative is the emphasis on technical assistance and capacity building (capacity-building for sustainable energy) to strengthen institutional capacity through training and development programmes, ensuring sustainable management and operation of the energy infrastructure.
The project is expected to benefit approximately 50,000 households and 90 health facilities across the country, significantly improving the quality of life and economic prospects for many South Sudanese citizens. Charles Undeland, the World Bank Group Country Manager for South Sudan, underscored the project’s potential impact by noting that the cost of power in South Sudan is among the highest both regionally and globally. He expressed optimism that the ASSIST project would bring more affordable power to the people of South Sudan, thereby fostering economic development and poverty reduction (poverty reduction strategies).
The successful implementation of the ASSIST project is anticipated to address several critical challenges facing South Sudan’s energy sector. By expanding the electricity grid and introducing off-grid solutions (off-grid solar solutions), the project aims to reduce the country’s reliance on expensive and polluting diesel generators, which are currently a primary source of power for many. Electrifying health facilities will enhance the delivery of essential health services, contributing to improved health outcomes (health and energy access).
In addition to the direct benefits of increased electricity access, the ASSIST project is expected to have broader economic implications. Reliable and affordable electricity is a key enabler of economic activities (importance of affordable energy), facilitating the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, attracting investment, and creating employment opportunities. Furthermore, the project’s focus on capacity building will equip local institutions with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and sustain the country’s energy infrastructure effectively.
The launch of the ASSIST project represents a significant milestone in South Sudan’s development trajectory. It reflects a commitment by both the South Sudanese government and international partners like the World Bank to address the country’s infrastructure deficits and lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth (sustainability in energy). As the project progresses, it will be essential to monitor its implementation closely to ensure that it delivers on its promises and contributes to the broader goal of improving the livelihoods of the South Sudanese people.
