Institutional and Technical Readiness of the Bank of South Sudan for East African Monetary Union Integration: A Public Financial Management Perspective

 Author (s)

Prof. Dr. Maxwell Adea & Agai Agai Maluil Jok

Abstract

This study evaluates the readiness of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) to meet the convergence standards of the East African Monetary Union (EAMU). Public financial institutions in Africa face growing pressure to demonstrate governance capacity, operational efficiency, and accountability. Regional monetary integration adds another layer of demand. The EAC’s push toward a single currency requires member central banks to align their legal, statistical, and operational systems. For South Sudan, the newest EAC member, this means overcoming deep institutional and technical challenges. A mixed-methods design was used. Data came from structured surveys and semi-structured interviews with central bank officials and regional experts. Documentary analysis of policy reports and regulatory documents supplemented the primary data. Findings show progress in regulatory reforms, payment system modernization, and initial macroeconomic stabilization. However, significant gaps remain. These include incomplete legal harmonization, weak statistical and data management capacity, low foreign reserves, limited human resource expertise, and poor cross-border regulatory coordination. Regression analysis shows that technical capacity is the strongest driver of institutional readiness. Staff expertise, continuous training, and reliable data systems matter more than resource limits or regulatory hurdles. The study concludes that South Sudan’s integration into the EAMU will require a sequenced, evidence-based approach. Targeted capacity building, legal and regulatory reform, and stronger regional cooperation should form the backbone of this strategy. For public financial managers, the findings show that internal controls, audit quality, and data integrity are not back-office concerns. They are core determinants of institutional readiness. Policymakers should prioritize investment in institutional development and technical infrastructure.

Keywords: Monetary Integration, Central Bank Readiness, Public Financial Management, Institutional Capacity, Technical Capacity, South Sudan.

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Cite This Article:

Adea, M. & Jok, A. A. M.  (2026). Institutional and Technical Readiness of the Bank of South Sudan for East African Monetary Union Integration: A Public Financial Management Perspective, International Journal of Science and Business, 53(1), 126-145.  https://doi.org/10.58970/IJSB.2707

About Author (s)

Prof. Dr. Maxwell Adea (Corresponding Author), Professor of Research Methodology, Ayii University, Juba, South Sudan; Visiting Professor of Stafford University, South Sudan; & Deputy Principal of Graduate College, Supervisor and Examiner of Doctor of Philosophy Candidates, University of Juba, South Sudan. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6050-3769

Agai Agai Maluil Jok, Director General, Currency and Bank Operations, Bank of South Sudan, Juba, Republic of South Sudan.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/IJSB.2707

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