BoSS-UAE Central Bank meeting on payment reforms
The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) met the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates in Juba on Monday to discuss introducing a domestic card scheme, as part of efforts to modernise South Sudan’s financial and payment systems, according to BoSS’ official Facebook statement.
Domestic card scheme to strengthen national payment system
BoSS said the three-day engagement focuses on implementing a domestic card scheme, strengthening the national payment system, improving transaction efficiency and security, and widening access to digital financial services.
Akum David Sabhaker, Director for the National Payment System at BoSS, said the talks are expected to lead to the establishment and operation of a domestic card switch to reinforce the country’s financial infrastructure (BoSS statement).
“This partnership will establish and operate a domestic card switch, which will enhance the national payment system and support sustainable economic growth,” Sabhaker said (BoSS statement).
August 2025 MoU sets framework for card switch
BoSS framed the Juba discussions as a continuation of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Abu Dhabi in August 2025, aimed at deepening cooperation on payment systems, security printing, and financial technology.
Under the MoU, the UAE Central Bank agreed to support banknote security printing solutions through its subsidiary Oumolat, and to assist in developing a domestic payment card system through Al Etihad Payments, BoSS said.
Two-phase plan for domestic card transaction processing
Officials described a two-phase approach. The first phase targets switching and processing payment card transactions within South Sudan in line with international standards.
The second phase is designed to develop local infrastructure so card transactions can be processed domestically, a step BoSS associates with stronger system resilience and improved service delivery.
Training and technical support for BoSS staff
Beyond infrastructure, the MoU includes exchanging information and expertise, alongside technical support and training for BoSS staff in banking supervision and monetary operations through programmes offered by the Emirates Institute of Finance, according to the BoSS statement.
Officials highlight financial cooperation and sector needs
At the MoU signing, UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama said the agreement reflected a shared commitment to strengthening financial cooperation between the two countries (BoSS statement).
“The Memorandum reflects our shared aspirations to meet the needs of the financial and banking sector in the Republic of South Sudan,” Balama said (BoSS statement).
BoSS Governor Dr. Addis Ababa Otto said the arrangement would deepen economic partnership and advance financial services, adding that South Sudan values the UAE’s expertise in security printing and innovative payment solutions (BoSS statement).
From MoU to implementation: focus on practical outcomes
BoSS said the current Juba meeting aims to translate the August 2025 agreement into practical outcomes, including advancing the rollout of a domestic card scheme and related national payment system upgrades, as discussions move from planning to implementation (BoSS statement).