From Policy Commitments to Digital Systems: Assessing Technical Infrastructure, Payment Architecture, and South Sudan Central Bank Readiness for the East African Monetary Union
Author (s)
Prof. Dr. Maxwell Adea & Agai Agai Maluil Jok
Abstract
The East African Community’s pursuit of a single regional currency has intensified attention to the operational and technological foundations needed for a credible monetary union, especially in fragile and post-conflict settings. This study evaluates the Bank of South Sudan’s readiness for East African Monetary Union integration by examining the interplay among policy commitments, technical infrastructure, payment architecture, and institutional capacity. Utilizing a mixed-methods case study design, the research integrates structured surveys of sixty Bank of South Sudan staff, in-depth interviews with policymakers, and comprehensive analysis of East African Community, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank documentation. Findings indicate that while the Bank of South Sudan has advanced in digital payment modernization, regulatory reforms, and workforce development, significant obstacles remain, including unreliable data systems, incomplete legal harmonization, leadership gaps, and insufficient institutional memory. Statistical analysis reveals that robust data management, technical expertise, and continuous staff training are the primary drivers of central bank readiness, surpassing the influence of external resource constraints. This study adds new empirical insight by demonstrating that bridging the gap between policy ambition and digital implementation relies on sustained investment in internal capacity and adaptive institutional learning. The research concludes that South Sudan’s successful accession will require sequenced, context-specific reforms focused on digital infrastructure, human capital, and comprehensive regulatory alignment.
Keywords: East African Monetary Union, Bank of South Sudan, Digital Transformation, Technical Infrastructure, Payment Architecture, Institutional Capacity, Data Management, Central Bank Readiness, Legal Harmonization, Capacity Building, Monetary Union, EAC Integration, Post-Conflict Reform.
| Title: | From Policy Commitments to Digital Systems: Assessing Technical Infrastructure, Payment Architecture, and South Sudan Central Bank Readiness for the East African Monetary Union |
|---|---|
| Author: | Prof. Dr. Maxwell Adea & Agai Agai Maluil Jok |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Market Research |
| ISSN: | 3106-549X |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.58970/JMR.5023 |
| Website: | ijsab.com |
| Media: | Online |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Issue publication (Year): | 2026 |
| Acceptance Date: | 28/10/2026 |
| Date of Publication: | 03/11/2026 |
| PDF URL: | http://ijsab.com/wp-content/uploads/5023.pdf |
| Free download: | Available |
| Page: | 222-241 |
| First Page: | 222 |
| Last Page: | 241 |
| Paper Type: | Research paper |
| Current Status: | Published |
Cite This Article:
Jok, A. A. M. & Adea, M., (2026). Institutional and Technical Preparedness of the Bank of South Sudan for East African Monetary Union Integration: Bridging Policy Ambitions and Infrastructural Realities, Journal of Market Research, 2(1), 199-221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/JMR.5023
Retrieved from http://ijsab.com/wp-content/uploads/5023.pdf
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.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/JMR.5023
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