South Sudan has established a national supervisory committee to oversee its international internet gateway and data centre operations, as the government seeks to strengthen control over critical digital infrastructure while internet access remains among the lowest in Africa.
The Supervisory Committee for Gateway Services and the National Data Center was formally created last week by the National Communications Authority (NCA), the country’s telecoms regulator. Authorities say the body will improve governance, accountability and state oversight of gateway services, which handle the flow of international internet and voice traffic.
The move comes against a backdrop of slowly expanding connectivity. At the beginning of 2025, South Sudan had about 1.9 million internet users, representing a penetration rate of 15.7%, according to data from DataReportal. While usage is rising, the figures highlight deep structural constraints in a country of more than 12 million people emerging from years of conflict and economic fragility.
In a statement, the NCA said the committee has been tasked with supervising operations at the South Sudan International Gateway (SSIGW) and the National Data Center, both regarded by the government as strategic national assets.
“The committee will strengthen governance, transparency and institutional control over these critical infrastructures,” the regulator said, adding that it would ensure all operations safeguard national sovereignty and security interests.
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The initiative is being implemented with technical support from Swiss-based mgi communications ag (MGI), a company specialising in telecoms governance and revenue assurance. According to the NCA, MGI will assist in digitising revenue flows generated by the international gateway, a step aimed at improving efficiency and reducing leakages.
International gateways often represent a significant source of government revenue in low-income countries, but weak oversight and fragmented systems can limit their effectiveness. By digitising and centralising revenue collection from the SSIGW, South Sudanese authorities hope to enhance transparency and ensure the state captures a greater share of proceeds linked to international traffic.
The committee’s mandate goes beyond revenue management. It is also expected to modernise governance frameworks for digital infrastructure, strengthen regulatory oversight and support the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
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Officials say the reforms are intended to create a more robust institutional foundation for the communications sector, even as South Sudan continues to face basic challenges such as limited electricity supply, high operating costs and weak backbone infrastructure.
Internet access in South Sudan remains heavily dependent on mobile networks, with most users relying on relatively slow and expensive mobile data services. Fixed broadband is largely confined to a small number of businesses, government institutions and international organisations in the capital, Juba.
The low level of connectivity reflects years of underinvestment and instability. South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but soon descended into civil conflict, which damaged infrastructure and discouraged private investment across the economy, including in telecommunications.
In recent years, the government has signalled a renewed focus on digital development, viewing improved connectivity as a driver of economic diversification, public service delivery and state capacity. The establishment of the supervisory committee appears to be part of that broader effort to assert greater control over the sector and improve regulatory effectiveness.
However, analysts caution that stronger state oversight will need to be carefully balanced to avoid discouraging private operators, who play a central role in expanding networks and services. Telecoms companies operating in South Sudan have previously raised concerns about regulatory uncertainty, multiple fees and high compliance costs.
The NCA said the new committee would work closely with other government agencies and security institutions, underlining official concerns about the strategic and security dimensions of digital infrastructure.
Officials described the initiative as a “structural step” designed to secure national digital assets while laying the groundwork for longer-term growth in the sector.
For ordinary users, the impact of the reforms will ultimately depend on whether they translate into more reliable, affordable and widely available internet services. With fewer than one in six South Sudanese currently online, expanding access remains a major challenge as the country seeks to build a more inclusive digital economy.
