Republic of South Sudan Eastern Equatoria State Investment Profile Page 1

Republic of South Sudan

Eastern Equatoria State
Investment Profile











Published by the Ministry of Commerce Investment Industry and Trade


Republic of South Sudan Eastern Equatoria State Investment Profile Page 2

Introduction
The Ministry of Commerce Investment Industry and Trade Investment
Initiative is focused on voicing a call for action to mobilize the states leaders
in business and government to make progress toward improving the states
economy through vital investments in potential growth industries, such as
agriculture, energy, mining, health care, communications, financial services,
industry and education. The ministry will establish partnerships to enhance
the opportunities and foster innovation in these sectors.
The ministry is committed to promoting Eastern Equatoria State (EES) as an
attractive investment destination through a number of approaches but not
limited to;
Participating in forums to showcase the different sectors and
innovations of the SME sector;
Promoting research and formulation of policy to enhance economic
growth;
Supporting the development of online platforms containing
information about EES which can be accessed internationally.

Background
While South Sudans political, economic, and social development is in its
infancy, a legal framework for investors, co-developed with a team from the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, has been
established to encourage the nascent private sector
It is our hope that this presentation will stimulate interest of investors who
may not be aware of South Sudan's, particularly Eastern Equatoria States
latent opportunities, or of the government's desire to see private investment
in the forefront of development.
EES is one of the ten states in south Sudan, the newest nation on the
African Continent. As a state we are looking to create public private
partnerships so we can work together in creating opportunities which will
lead the region in becoming a force to reckon with.

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General Description if the state
Eastern Equatoria State is one of the ten states of South Sudan with its
capital in Torit. The state covers a land mass of 82,540 km
2
. The geographic
location of the state provides it with great opportunity for economic
development as a direct result of cross border trade and its abundant
potential of untapped natural resources. The bulk of South Sudans trade
comes into the country through the state which shares borders with
Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
South Sudans political, economic, and social development is in its infancy,
as a result, a legal framework for investors, co-developed with a team from
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, has been
established to encourage the nascent private sector. The private sector is
slowly beginning to pick up in terms of small business operations. The
livelihoods of the people are centred mainly on pastoral activities and
subsistence agriculture.


Why Eastern Equatoria State
The state as a virgin economy presents a great potential for economic growth
through its bounty of untapped potential markets in various sectors.
The state lies at the south eastern part of South Sudan and presents a
bounty of opportunity. It is the gate way into South Sudan by from Ethiopia,
Kenya and Uganda which is a major trade that Connects South Sudan with
the East African trade block. The State capital, Torit is 131km from Juba
the capital of South Sudan making it easy for short excursion in and out of
the state capital by road and only 45 minutes by air.
Investment Opportunities
With South Sudan being the newest investment destination following its
independence the investment opportunities are endless. Eastern Equatoria
as you have already seen plays a pivotal role in the economy of South Sudan
being at the cross roads of three trade partners and the entry point for the
bulk of the nations foreign trade.
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EES prides itself in having a range of sectors for current and future
investment as listed below;
Health Care
Communications
Tourism
Agriculture
Mining
Real-estate development
Industry
Financial Services
Education
Energy

Agriculture
EES has two main seasons and receives rains between April to November
and have an annual average of 1,500 mm in the highland and 750 mm in
the lowlands.
The vegetation ranges from equatorial dense forests in the mountains
through wooded savannah grasslands to semi arid to arid scrubland in the
north and northeast. The soils are sand loams in the higher ground and
black cotton soils in the lowlands.
It is estimated that 78% of the states land is suitable for large-scale
commercial farming and processing of cotton, tea, coffee, sugarcane, wheat,
fruit, maize, wheat, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, sesame,
groundnuts, various vegetables, and forestry products such as gum Africa,
Soft wood timber and honey.
Opportunities exist across the value chain, particularly with storage and
processing facilities.
Agriculture stands to grow exponentially providing livelihood to over 80% of
the population with room for diversification of production of food and cash
crops.

Mining
EES offers excellent opportunities for mineral prospecting and development.
Geological studies have identified vast potential for the commercial
exploration of gold, lime stone, fossil fuel and other precious stones. The oil
fields (Block B) form part of Africas third-largest oil reserves in Africa.
Properly developed and utilised, Eastern Equatoria States natural resources
and particularly mineral can significantly enhance the states economy.
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Energy Sector
The state is dependent mainly on two forms of energy namely: petroleum,
wood fuel. At present there is a geothermal plant that provides 10KW of
electricity while the vast population relies of power generated from
generators. A small population currently use solar and biogas while the
rural areas mainly use wood-fuel.
The state has
potential to generate
electricity along the
river Nile at Fulla
falls and along river
Kinaite at Katire.
Other opportunities
include production of
energy using solar
panels and wind
power; Generation of
power using biogas,
transformers and
generators.

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Tourism
EES has scattered hills separated
by extensive flatlands and valleys.
The highest point in South Sudan
is the Imotong Mountains, which
form a mountain range along the
South Sudan-Uganda border.
The Imotong Mountain range has
vast caves and is a historic site
where Queen Elizabeth took refuge
during the 2
nd
world war.
The state has a number of historic
and cultural sites yet to be
explored by the outside world.
The people of EES have a rich
cultural heritage which is
displayed through local
handicrafts, and way of life. The
crafts are much sought after
across the globe and present a
good opportunity for the
investment in this niche segment.
This sector has great potential for
creation of jobs.

There are vast tourism opportunities in this area where the eco system is
one unrivalled by any other in the world having some of the largest
migration patterns and species only found in this region of the world.

The state boasts of scenic attraction sites for
bird watching and the largest migration of the
white eared cob which can only be found in this
part of the world.
There are opportunities in the construction of
hotels, lodges, camping sites and resorts in the
game parks and game reserves promoting
ecotourism. The mountain rages offer Scenic
Mountain claiming and outback adventure while
the rivers are excellent for white water rafting.
The increasingly large international community
presents the opportunity to provide international
and specialized restaurants and cuisines.
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The vast forest,
natural vegetation,
numerous rivers and
streams is ideal for
industrial lumbering
saw mills, furniture
shops and non
timber forest
products such as
Gum Arabic, honey
and many others.

The vegetation cover also presents an opportunity for recreation, ecotourism
carbon sequestration and trading (carbon foot print). The construction of
tourist resorts and hotels still remains untapped yet has great potential for
both domestic and foreign tourism be it for leisure or adventure.

Real-estate development
South Sudans rapidly increasing housing demand, largely due to
urbanization and an influx of foreigners, presents a plethora of
opportunities for construction companies and suppliers.

The construction boom
has placed a high
demand on cement,
bricks, steel, roofing
materials and timber.
EES has vast forest
reserves with teak trees
and lime stone deposits which can be tapped
into to meet construction demands.
EES has extensive opportunities in the
construction industry, particularly in the
construction of roads, residential development,
commercial and industrial construction, low-cost
housing.

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The state government has put special attention to the development of the
states overall infrastructure. Development of Water and sewerage facilities
also presents a great opportunity for investment with enormous potential.

Communication Sector
EES as indeed South Sudan is a virgin territory in relations to
communication. The government has embraced new technologies in
implementing its activities and requires having functional communication
systems. With talk of fibre optic links EES stands to benefit the most by
being the closest state to Kenya through which this link will connect.
Investment Opportunities include; Call and Contact Centres, Software
Design and Development, ICT training services, Back Office Services
Industry
The industry or manufacturing sector is in its infant stages but with great
potential to grow. The sector plays an important part in adding value to
accelerating growth both in the formal and informal sectors through a range
of ventures such as private public partnerships, small and medium
enterprises and large scale industry development.
Opportunities exist in lumbering and paper production, textiles, metal and
engineering works and many others.

Financial Services
At present Eastern Equatoria State like much of South Sudan lacks
financial institutions. EES being a major hub for trade at two main boarder
points and the exponential growth along the trunk roads and boarder towns
there is an increased need to have banking services provided not only to the
government but also to the general population. EES provides an opportunity
for financial institutions to grow their portfolios and introduce a wide range
of products and services such as cooperative banks, microfinance
institutions, rural banking, traditional banking services, and money
transfer. At present there are four financial institutions operating in the
state with limited services in the state capital Torit and in Nimule the major
boarder town.
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Health Services
The number of private care facilitates has grown but is not able to meet the
demand or provide specialized health care that is much needed. At present
referrals are made to the neighboring countries. With increased number of
foreign workers and investors there is an ever growing need to establish first
world class health care.
The health care sector not only presents the opportunity to provide
traditional Medicare but also in providing specialized medical services and
production of pharmaceutical products locally.

Education
Education is a driving force for the future generations. EES has seen
growing numbers in both primary and secondary schools however there are
limited tertiary schools to absorb the growing numbers. Presently a number
of students go to Kenya and Uganda a trend which could change once
quality primary, secondary, technical institutions and tertiary institutions of
higher learning are set up and operational.


Contact
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