Wayne Lumbasi
The government of South Sudan has banned the physical collection of government revenue, ordering all public payments to be processed through a national electronic tax system in a move aimed at strengthening transparency and curbing corruption in the country’s public finance management.
The directive, issued by the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), requires all taxes, duties, licenses, permits and other government payments to be made exclusively through the National e-Tax System. The new policy effectively ends the long-standing practice of manual or cash-based collection by government officials across ministries, departments and agencies.
Officials say the measure forms part of a broader reform drive designed to modernise the country’s revenue administration and improve accountability in government finances. Under the system, taxpayers will make payments electronically through designated digital platforms, with automated receipts generated to ensure proper documentation and tracking of all transactions.
Authorities believe the shift to digital revenue collection will help close loopholes that have historically allowed financial leakages and informal handling of public funds. By eliminating direct cash payments to officials, the government aims to strengthen oversight, increase efficiency and ensure that all revenue collected reaches the national treasury.
The directive also warns that any public officer or institution found collecting government revenue outside the authorised electronic platform will face disciplinary action and possible legal penalties. Inspections and audits are expected to be carried out to ensure compliance across government offices nationwide.
The reform aligns with a presidential order calling for the full digitalisation of government revenue collection as part of ongoing fiscal and governance reforms in the country. Authorities say the initiative is expected to boost domestic revenue mobilisation while improving public confidence in government financial systems.
For South Sudan, which continues to grapple with economic challenges and institutional weaknesses, the transition to an electronic tax system is seen as a critical step toward strengthening financial accountability and reducing corruption in public administration.
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