Co-operative Bank Advocates for Financial Sector Reform with New Branch Opening

By Simon Deng

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Co-operative Bank, Elijah Wamalwa, announced the bank’s commitment to providing innovative financial services to citizens as it opens a new branch in the Gudele suburb of Juba.

“Co-Bank aims to transform the financial sector in South Sudan by supporting growth and offering innovative financial services that make it easier, cheaper, and more convenient for customers to access their funds,” Wamalwa stated in an interview last week during the launch of the bank’s fourth branch in Gudele.

“We are exploring additional areas and rolling out more electronic platforms so that customers can transact from the comfort of their homes or offices, whether through internet banking, mobile banking, or other forms of electronic banking,” he added.

Wamalwa emphasized that the inauguration of the new branch is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to make banking more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly, especially regarding fund access and security.

“We know that South Sudan is going through a very difficult time and that banks have scaled down operations, but we also recognize that customers want to be closer to their branches,” he said.

Justin Badi Arama, the Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS), who attended the inauguration, remarked that the initiative provides a valuable opportunity for local residents to deposit their money in the bank instead of keeping it at home.

“The opening of the Co-operative Bank branch signifies a great opportunity for the population here. This will serve as a center for progress, saving, and development,” said Arama.

The Co-operative Bank of South Sudan is a member of the Cooperative Bank Group, established in 2012 and beginning operations in 2013 as a strategic joint venture aimed at broadening its reach and improving financial services.