High-level delegation departs Juba
Leaving Juba’s dusty runway at dawn, Vice President for the Economic Cluster Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel boarded a direct jet to Abu Dhabi, leading ministers and technocrats tasked with turning boardroom promises into hard currency for the continent’s youngest republic.
Press secretary Oyiti Ajawin told journalists the trip reflects “a decisive pivot toward sustainable partnerships”, emphasising that private capital is vital while oil prices fluctuate and climate risks rise.
Energy, agriculture and tech on agenda
Sources within the delegation say proposals cover refinery upgrades, solar farms along the Nile corridor, large-scale sorghum processing and a potential fibre-optic backbone connecting Juba to regional hubs.
Emirati investors have recently expanded across Africa’s Sahel and Horn; Abu Dhabi Fund for Development signalled interest in deals blending concessional loans with equity stakes.
Kiir’s personal letter to Sheikh Mohamed
Carrying a sealed letter from President Salva Kiir, Bol Mel is expected to reiterate Juba’s support for Gulf diplomacy in Sudan and the Red Sea while seeking Abu Dhabi’s backing for debt relief initiatives.
The Vice President’s office confirmed meetings with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and sovereign wealth executives, signalling an interest in relations that transcend one-off transactions.
Regional stakes for East Africa
Analyst James Okuk notes that stable foreign inflows could ease pressure on South Sudan’s pound and indirectly benefit neighbours reliant on cross-border trade.
Kenya and Ethiopia watch closely, mindful that a stronger Juba market could boost the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia corridor, an infrastructure dream long delayed by conflict.
Youth expectations and cautious optimism
Excitement rippled through Juba University halls; engineering student Nyabuay Gatwech said she hopes “Gulf capital translates into internships, not only skyscrapers”.
Civil society voices urge transparency, recalling past deals that stalled; officials insist all memoranda will align with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act of 2018.