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Public Procurement in South Sudan

Public procurement in South Sudan plays a vital role in financing government operations, post-conflict recovery, and delivery of basic public services. As a low-income, fragile, and post-conflict economy, public procurement is closely linked to fiscal stability, donor coordination, and institutional capacity building.

The procurement system in South Sudan is governed by interim regulations that establish procurement principles, methods, thresholds, and approval processes for public contracts. While the framework is legally defined, implementation capacity remains uneven, and a significant share of public procurement—particularly large infrastructure and service contracts—is influenced or supported by development partners.

Country & Economic Overview

Note: Official data on public procurement expenditure as a percentage of GDP is not publicly reported.

Public Procurement Institutional Framework

• Public Procurement Authority: Republic of South Sudan
• Official Website: http://grss-mof.org/
• Role: Oversight of public financial management and procurement policy
• Central Purchasing Body: Not formally established

Legal & Regulatory Framework

The public procurement system is governed by interim regulations that continue to serve as the primary legal reference for government procurement.

• Interim Public Procurement and Disposal Regulations (2006)

Procurement Methods & Thresholds

Procurement methods and approval requirements are defined under the schedules of the 2006 Regulations.

• Tender Thresholds: Schedule A - Thresholds for use of procurement methods
• Direct Contracting: Permitted within limits defined in Schedule A
• Contract Award Approval: Schedule B - Approvals by the Procurement Policy Unit
• Standstill Period: Article 43 - Acceptance of Tender and Contract Signing

Exact numerical threshold values are not consistently published in centralized digital form.

E-Procurement System Status

South Sudan does not currently operate a national electronic procurement (eProcurement) system.

• No centralized eProcurement portal in use
• Procurement processes are largely paper-based
• Donor-funded projects often apply separate digital or donor-specific systems
• The World Bank does not use the national system for its financed projects

Procurement Market Characteristics

• Procurement spending focuses on basic goods, construction, and essential services
• Strong reliance on donor and humanitarian funding
• Limited availability of consolidated procurement statistics
• Local supplier participation is encouraged but constrained by capacity

Due to data limitations, official figures on the number and value of annual tenders, contracts, and awards are not publicly disclosed.

Transparency, Complaints & Oversight

The legal framework provides for procedural safeguards, though enforcement capacity remains limited.

• Complaint Mechanism: Provided for under procurement regulations
• Bid Evaluation & Award: Conducted by tender committees
• Disclosure: Contract award disclosure governed by Schedule B approvals

No publicly reported statistics are available on complaints, resolution times, or cancelled procedures.

Sustainability & Green Public Procurement

South Sudan does not currently have a formal green or sustainable public procurement strategy.

• No mandatory green procurement requirements
• No national sustainability roadmap for procurement
• Environmental and social safeguards are typically donor-driven

Social & Ethical Procurement Provisions

• No statutory quotas for SMEs, women-owned, or disadvantaged-group-owned businesses
• Ethical, labor, and environmental considerations are not explicitly codified
• Procurement rules emphasize fairness, transparency, and competition

Practical Considerations for Suppliers

• Expect manual procurement processes and longer timelines
• Donor-funded tenders offer more structured procedures
• Local partnerships are often essential for market entry
• Regulatory references rely heavily on the 2006 interim regulations

Public Procurement in South Sudan remains at an early stage of institutional development. While the legal framework establishes core procurement principles, limited data transparency and implementation capacity pose challenges. For suppliers and contractors, opportunities are closely linked to donor-financed projects and essential public service delivery.