Mobile Money Frustration in Aweil East
In Wanyjok, the commercial centre of Aweil East County, residents queue at kiosks, phones in hand, only to leave without their hard-earned transfers.
The MTN MoMo wallet, once sold as a lifeline for the unbanked, now holds stranded shillings that cannot be exchanged for banknotes.
Liquidity Shortage at Agent Level
Local agent Luol Deng says chronic cash scarcity begins upstream, where commercial banks report dwindling reserves from the Central Bank.
“There is not enough money in circulation,” he told this magazine, adding that agents protect limited liquidity by suspending large withdrawals.
With commissions fixed but risks rising, several vendors quietly deem the service ‘no longer useful’ for daily business.
Everyday Users Feel the Pinch
Teacher Deng Garang walked across town on Thursday searching for 30,000 South Sudanese pounds sent by his brother; every booth he tried turned him away.
Residents complain that the digital pipeline fails at the final meter, where school fees and medical bills still demand tangible notes.
Future of Digital Payments in South Sudan
In July, the Central Bank formally recognised mobile money as legal tender, hoping to tame the cash crunch and modernise commerce.
Experts argue that mass adoption of electronic payments, not extra banknotes, will ultimately stabilise the system, yet habits change slowly in a largely cash-based society.
For now, agents, consumers and regulators face a delicate balance between encouraging digital confidence and ensuring enough physical money to keep the economy moving.