Juba, South Sudan | August 27, 2025 – South Sudan and Ethiopia have launched a bold initiative to connect their economies through a landmark infrastructure project, following high-level talks in Juba today. The agreement marks a significant step toward regional integration and economic cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting brought together South Sudan’s Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel and a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Hon. Amb. Girma Biru, Senior Economic Advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Hon. Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance. The South Sudanese delegation included Hon. Athian Diing Athian, Minister of Finance and Planning, and Hon. Dr. Addis Ababa Odhow, Governor of the Bank of South Sudan.
The discussions focused on accelerating implementation of the South Sudan-Ethiopia Economic Cooperation framework, building on previous agreements between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
While the centerpiece of the cooperation is a transformative road connectivity project designed to create vital transport links between the two countries, the partnership extends across multiple sectors. The comprehensive framework includes infrastructure development, electricity generation and distribution, air transport, telecommunications, banking integration, human resource capacity building, and petroleum sector collaboration.
Vice President Bol Mel emphasized the urgency of implementation, stating that the initiatives must be pursued with discipline to ensure tangible benefits reach citizens quickly. He framed the cooperation as a vehicle for transformative change that would “enable farmers to move their produce to markets, create jobs for youth in new industries, make goods more affordable for families, and help communities thrive through shared prosperity.”
In his closing remarks, Bol Mel captured the spirit of the partnership: “When nations cooperate, citizens win.”
The project is expected to stimulate economic growth, enhance regional trade, and create new opportunities for both nations, representing one of the most significant bilateral initiatives in the region this year.
