By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has launched South Sudan Institute of Revenue Administration (SSIRA) and Phase II of the Non-Oil Revenue Mobilization and Accountability (NORMA-II) Project.
According statement posted on the agency’s social media page, SSRA Commissioner General Simon Akuei Deng, the Institute of Revenue Administration will serve as a national hub for capacity building and professional development in tax and customs services. “This is a historic step toward our nation’s prosperity with the launch of SSIRA and NORMA-II,” Deng stated. “These initiatives are key to strengthening tax administration and ensuring sustainable domestic resource mobilization for South Sudan.”
He added that once operational, the institute will not only support and equip the technical skills of national revenue staff but also offer training in tax and customs administration, emerging trends, soft skills, and leadership and management programs.
It will also provide capacity building to SSRA officials and customs officers on new tax policies. Furthermore, the institute will equip external stakeholders, such as state revenue officials, customs officers/clearing agents, and the private sector.
The institute will operate at the Ministry of Finance’s Taxation premises in Jebel Market, along Juba-Yei Road.
The institute’s reconstruction was carried out by Infinity Construction and Engineering Ltd, a local construction firm. The facility boasts four lecture halls, each seating 30-40 people, four seminar rooms for 10-20 attendees each, two conference halls with 100 seats each, and one multi-purpose hall fully equipped with 150 seats. The classrooms and offices can accommodate about 50 staff members.
To minimize costs, the institute, once fully functional will reduce the SSRA’s dependence on hotel venues for training, workshops, and seminars, offering cost-effective, high-quality training space.
Meanwhile, the NORMA-II Project focuses on strengthening the South Sudan Revenue Authority’s capacity in Non-Oil Revenue Mobilization and Accountability management. This phase is a continuation of the first, aiming to modernize and professionalize revenue collection beyond the oil sector.
The South Sudan government contributed $1.5 million towards the NORMA-II Project, while the African Development Bank provided an additional $1 million toward the construction and remodelling of SSIRA.
The first phase of the project was launched on March 24, 2023, by former Commissioner General Dr. Patrick Kennedy Mugoya, and was designed for a six-month implementation period.
The SSRA noted that the NORMA-II project reflects the authority’s commitment to transparency, revenue growth, and economic sustainability. The combination of SSIRA and NORMA-II marks a significant milestone in the SSRA’s journey to broaden its impact, promote professional growth within its workforce, and empower stakeholders in the revenue sphere across the country with the necessary tools and knowledge for effective revenue administration and management.
“With the support of the African Development Bank and the commitment of our government, SSRA is positioning itself as a catalyst for sustainable development through effective non-oil revenue mobilization,” Deng concluded.