Government, UNDP Develop E-Commerce Policy to Ease Trade

By Simon Deng

The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), recently held a validation workshop aimed at developing an E-commerce Policy and Strategy. This initiative seeks to streamline trade, expand opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and connect entrepreneurs directly with consumers both locally and internationally.

Jose Mazano, the Chief Programme Advisor for UNDP, stated that e-commerce has the potential to create dignified jobs, promote gender equality, and empower young innovators, thereby leading South Sudan towards a more prosperous future.

“This strategy is not only about connecting businesses to technology; it is about ensuring that women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities are not left behind,” Mazano said  on Tuesday at the Palm Africa Hotel during the validation workshop for the development and formulation of the E-commerce policy and strategy for South Sudan.

Mazano noted that UNDP has supported the development of a trade policy framework and will continue to provide technical support, facilitate partnerships, and invest in the capacity of SMEs, youth, and women entrepreneurs.

He outlined that the E-commerce policy is anchored on six critical pillars that will shape its success, including strengthening consumer protection, enhancing cybersecurity, building trust in digital transactions, and facilitating faster cross-border trade.

“E-commerce offers a way to connect our entrepreneurs directly with consumers at home and abroad. It will also help us address persistent challenges, reduce the cost of doing business, and increase access to new markets for our locally made products,” he said.

Simon Nyang Anei, the Technical Advisor for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, mentioned that the government, with support from UNDP’s technical assistance, has advanced the trade policy framework and mainstreamed trade into the national development strategy.

“Furthermore, UNDP has supported the government in its bid for World Trade Organization membership. Together, the government and UNDP produced key reports that continue to shape the country’s trade agenda,” Anei stated.

He added, “The ongoing Validation Workshop for the Formulation of the E-Commerce Policy and Strategy for South Sudan focuses on the need to support the realisation of the expected development outcomes of the NDS clusters.”

Anei revealed that key reports produced include the Trade for Peace and Resilience Report, the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study, and the final assessment on the implementation of the EAC Customs Union and Common Market protocols.

“The E-Commerce Policy and Strategy identifies trade-related priorities through the Action Matrix. The priorities in the Action Matrix will inform the mainstreaming of trade-related priorities into future development strategies, sector plans, and the implementation of the E-Commerce policy,” he said.

The one-day validation workshop for developing and formulating the E-Commerce Policy and Strategy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is facilitated by UNDP and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).