Regional cash controls tighten
Across Central and East Africa, regulators are refining rules on cross-border cash flows to curb illicit finance and bolster monetary stability.
The latest move comes from the Bank of South Sudan, but analysts note similar conversations in Brazzaville, Libreville and Kinshasa.
Inside the Bank of South Sudan directive
Effective 20 August 2025, anyone entering or leaving South Sudan with USD 10,000 or more must file a written declaration at the border.
Travelers also need paperwork proving the origin and purpose of the funds, ranging from bank withdrawal slips to supplier invoices, before customs officers stamp the form.
Customs keeps one copy and sends another to the central bank, creating a joint audit trail designed to deter smuggling and strengthen statistical oversight.
Compliance steps for travelers
Officials advise travelers to download the Cross-Border Currency Declaration Form in advance to avoid delays at Nimule, Juba Airport or river terminals.
Failure to declare, or splitting cash into smaller bundles to dodge the threshold, can trigger seizure and potential prosecution under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Implications for banks and business
Commercial banks must seek central bank approval to import or export sums above USD 50,000, then submit monthly reports to the Directorate of Supervision and Financial Stability.
That extra layer of oversight, economists argue, could improve correspondent banking relations and reassure investors worried about terrorist financing lists.
Regional traders shipping goods from Pointe-Noire to Juba say the rule may initially slow cash-based settlements but ultimately push companies toward safer digital channels.
Legal stakes and enforcement outlook
Border agents are authorised to detain undeclared cash deemed suspicious, while the Financial Intelligence Unit sifts data for links to trafficking networks.
Penalties range from confiscation of funds to suspension of business licences, a stance welcomed by Transparency International as “a step toward credible deterrence”.
What it means for Central Africa markets
Congo-Brazzaville’s finance ministry, monitoring the South Sudan model, is reportedly drafting complementary guidelines that keep trade fluid yet align with global compliance norms.
By tightening cash corridors without hindering legitimate commerce, officials hope to protect the CFA franc zone from external shocks and enhance regional integration.