South Sudan Targets Urban Expansion to Drive Economic Recovery

Much of the country's recent urban expansion has occurred without sufficient infrastructure or central planning, leaving public services severely strained. Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga noted that the state must now move beyond viewing cities as a logistical burden, instead treating them as hubs for economic activity. The new Urbanization Review advocates for a shift toward inclusive growth, where urban centers provide the essential services—such as sanitation, clean water, and transport networks—needed to stabilize a fragile economy.

World Bank Country Manager Charles Undeland emphasized that coordinated investment is the primary mechanism to unlock this potential. The proposed roadmap prioritizes land governance reforms to resolve disputes and improve transparency, alongside labor-intensive public works programs designed to stimulate local markets. By bolstering the capacity of local institutions and utilizing better data for decision-making, officials intend to move from reactive crisis management toward a proactive model of development that supports millions of residents in underserved communities.