South Sudan urged to exploit untapped natural resources to diversify revenue earnings

South Sudan remains among the most impoverished countries globally, not because it lacks natural resources to propel it’s economic transformation.

By Jenifer James

South Sudan remains among the most impoverished countries globally, not because it lacks natural resources to propel it’s economic transformation.

The transitional unity government has the opportunity to develop and exploit the fisheries, forestry, and wildlife and tourism sectors to boost it’s share of non-oil revenue collection to meet it’s commitments to the citizens, according to the South Sudan Natural Resource Review (NRR) report launched by the World Bank on Monday.

 The report emphasized that fishing sector plays a vital role in many people’s livelihoods, significantly contributing to nutrition and generating substantial local government income.

It noted that an estimated 2.1 million people live in households involved in fishing, with around 250,000 active fishers, about 10 percent of whom are full-time, adding that the most productive fishers are found in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Unity States, where up to 30 percent of the population is engaged in the sector.

Stephen Ling, Lead Environment Specialist at the World Bank, said that South Sudan has one of the world’s most productive freshwater fisheries, fuelled by the variable flood dynamics of the Sudd and the White Nile floodplain.

He noted that these floodplains support the world’s largest wildlife migration, with over 5 million antelope.

However, Ling said there have been steep declines in large wildlife populations down by about 90 percent due to the proliferation of automatic weapons and poaching for ivory and rhino horn.

Charles Undeland, World Bank Group Country Manager for South Sudan, emphasized that South Sudan’s remarkable natural resources could significantly contribute to the country’s development, adding that wise management of these assets is crucial to ensure sustainability and long-term benefits.

 “Community-based resource management and sustainable value chains could help diversify the economy away from oil dependence, benefiting rural communities and fostering inclusive development,” said Undeland.

The report noted that about 75 percent of the South Sudan population rely directly on local ecosystems for essentials such as food, clean water, and energy, adding that these sectors have the potential to contribute much more to the nation’s development.

“Despite these promising figures, the current fish catch is estimated at 300,000 tons annually, which is likely much lower than the sustainable production capacity. About 70 percent of the potential market value, estimated at $300 million, is lost due to poor handling, quality loss, and inadequate transportation to regional markets, where prices can be double those in South Sudan,” it disclosed.

It also revealed that South Sudan has around 30 percent of its land covered by forests, with exceptional ecosystem integrity and the potential to retain commercially valuable species that neighboring countries have lost.

It also said that the country still boasts vast and varied natural habitats that could support world-class nature-based tourism.

However, it noted that key wildlife areas such as the Sudd wetland and the Boma-Bandingilo-Jonglei landscape, which features the world’s largest wildlife migration, are only partially protected and also wildlife management in the country is also limited.

The report said that the teak plantation industry could generate up to $1 million a year and create 150 jobs per 1,000 hectares and community forest management could yield over $1 billion annually in sustainable revenue from non-timber forest products.

“Wildlife restoration and management could bring in tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, with the Boma Bandingilo-Jonglei landscape alone potentially generating $61 million annually from sustainable migratory antelope harvesting. In the long term, the potential for nature-based tourism is vast, although significant work is needed to realize this potential,” it disclosed.

The report offers the first comprehensive assessment of three key renewable resource sectors such as fisheries, forestry, and wildlife since the country’s independence in 2011.

It highlights the current state, opportunities, challenges, and investment needs within these sectors.

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