On July 18, 2025, the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO) hosted a diplomatic engagement at Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, to further strengthen the growing economic and strategic relationship between India and the Republic of South Sudan. In the absence of Mr. Kulong Manytuil Wijang Wour, Chargé d’Affaires of the South Sudanese Embassy, the meeting was attended by Mr. Michael Saki Longwa, Minister Plenipotentiary for Economic, Investment, Trade, and Tourism, who represented the South Sudanese mission with enthusiasm and clarity of vision. Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of IETO, and Ms. Sushma Pawar from IETO, led the Indian side of the discussion.
South Sudan, which gained its independence on July 9, 2011, stands today as the youngest and one of the most promising nations in Africa. Geographically situated at the heart of East-Central Africa, and bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic, South Sudan enjoys a strategic position with immense potential for regional trade and development. Since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974, India has played a meaningful role in South Sudan’s journey toward growth, contributing to areas such as health, education, and capacity building. One notable example is India’s support in training over 2,000 South Sudanese police personnel, reinforcing institutional strength in the country’s public safety framework.
Mr. Michael Longwa conveyed his appreciation for India’s continued support, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where India extended medical aid at a critical time. He also highlighted the vibrant Indian community in South Sudan — with around 1,000 professionals active in business, telecommunications, and electronics sectors — and the positive image Indian healthcare enjoys among the South Sudanese people. Recalling his recent visit to a hospital in Hyderabad, he praised the exceptional care provided there and observed that Indian hospitals are playing a vital role in serving African patients with compassion and expertise.
A major outcome of the meeting was the mutual proposal to establish a South Sudan Trade Desk in Bengaluru, which will serve as a dedicated hub to streamline bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and facilitate smoother communication between Indian stakeholders and South Sudanese counterparts.
IETO and the South Sudan delegation also agreed to plan an investor delegation to South Sudan in the coming months. This exploratory mission will focus on identifying investment-ready sectors and facilitating high-level meetings with key ministries such as Mining, Health, and Agriculture. South Sudan extended a warm invitation to Indian businesses, encouraging participation in the country’s reconstruction and development initiatives.
The discussions highlighted numerous priority areas for collaboration. Agriculture emerged as a top focus, with South Sudan offering some of the most fertile and underutilized land in the region. The Minister emphasized that with Indian agricultural technology, machinery, and expertise, the country could become self-sufficient in food production. Currently importing food from Uganda and Kenya, South Sudan sees Indian involvement as a critical step toward achieving food security and eliminating hunger.
In the mining sector, South Sudan is actively seeking Indian partners for the exploration and development of a wealth of natural resources, including gold, copper, zinc, lead, rare earth elements, uranium, magnesium, iron, and dolomite. Opportunities for building cement factories and engaging in construction and infrastructure development were also discussed, especially as the country rebuilds from years of conflict.
South Sudan also sees great promise in food and dairy processing. The country currently lacks facilities for processing basic dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. Certain districts produce an abundance of fruits, many of which go to waste. Investment in fruit pulp and juice processing, including mango juice factories, would serve both local demand and export markets. The Minister also noted the availability of high-quality honey, which could be marketed globally as a premium product.
In the healthcare and education sectors, Mr. Longwa acknowledged the urgent need to develop medical infrastructure and professional capacity. With few doctors currently serving the population, South Sudan is exploring the establishment of a medical college with Indian academic support to train a new generation of healthcare professionals.
Culturally, South Sudan shares historical Arabic influences but has transitioned into an English-speaking nation. The government is now looking toward the future by expressing interest in joining the Commonwealth. As part of this forward-looking vision, both parties agreed to initiate the formal establishment of IETO’s office in South Sudan, to serve as a long-term platform for business support and ecosystem development.
Mr. Longwa also proposed a South Sudan–India Trade & Investment Summit, to be organized jointly by IETO and the South Sudanese Ministry of Commerce. This summit will bring Indian investors face-to-face with South Sudanese government leaders and entrepreneurs. Before the summit, a focused pre-summit exploratory delegation would visit South Sudan to finalize investment opportunities and assess on-ground requirements.
Dr. Asif Iqbal presented an opportunity for a delegation of Indian investors to visit South Sudan, which would allow them to gain firsthand insights into the country’s economic landscape and real-world potential. Mr. Longwa enthusiastically supported this idea, stating, “South Sudan is not what the internet shows. It’s a promising land of opportunity with welcoming people. We want Indian companies to be part of our growth story.”
The meeting concluded with IETO presenting a copy of Global Diplomacy Magazine to Mr. Longwa, and scheduling an exclusive interview with him for the upcoming issue, which will spotlight South Sudan’s journey, current opportunities, and long-term vision for partnership with India.
