South Sudan Seeks Huawei Support to Expand Digital Public Services

JUBA, South Sudan — August 31, 2026

South Sudan is seeking support from Chinese technology company Huawei as the government works to expand digital public services and strengthen the country's technology infrastructure.

South Sudan's Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Ateny Wek Ateny, held talks with Huawei Vice President for Global Public Business Eric Ma in Hangzhou, China. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the China-Africa Digital Capacity Building and Cooperation Conference.

During the discussions, Ateny said the government wants to use Huawei's technological expertise to help connect and digitalize public services. The talks covered areas including electronic government services, smart-city technology, energy solutions and plans for a national data hub in Juba.

The discussions are part of South Sudan's wider effort to improve the country's digital infrastructure and make government services more accessible through technology.

South Sudan's ICT Ministry already lists several digital transformation projects among its current priorities. These include assessing the country's connectivity needs, developing a national digital-skills framework and creating a Government Enterprise Architecture to support more coordinated digital government systems.

The government has also previously discussed plans to establish a national data centre and develop Juba into a smart city.

Huawei has operated in South Sudan for more than a decade, although its relationship with the government has faced difficulties in the past. In 2014, South Sudanese authorities investigated allegations involving the company and government communications. Huawei denied involvement in the alleged wrongdoing.

More recently, cooperation has increased. Ateny and Huawei representatives held talks in Juba earlier this year about connectivity, digital transformation and technology partnerships.

No new contract, funding amount or implementation timetable was announced following the latest meeting. The discussions should therefore be understood as exploratory talks, rather than a finalized agreement between South Sudan and Huawei.