JUBA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's economy is projected to expand by 22 percent in 2026 as oil exports recover and macroeconomic conditions improve, the African Development Bank (AfDB) said in a new report released on Wednesday.
According to the AfDB, the positive outlook hinges on continued stability within South Sudan, neighboring Sudan, and the broader Red Sea region, key corridors for maintaining national oil production and transit exports.
Hoth Chany, AfDB senior national country economist for South Sudan, said during the launch of the South Sudan Country Focus 2026 report in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that economic growth is expected to normalize at around 4.8 percent in 2027.
According to the report, heavy reliance on oil exposes the economy to severe external shocks. The AfDB urged strategic investments in agriculture, livestock, mining, tourism, and renewable energy to diversify growth drivers and build long-term economic resilience. ■