Juba traders blame multiple charges for price hikes; Chamber of Commerce foresees relief

2026-03-13 - 06:37

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – Traders in Juba’s major markets have raised concerns over a series of “multiple charges” and high taxes imposed by various authorities, claiming these financial burdens are the primary drivers behind the recent spike in the cost of essential goods. In an exclusive interview with Eye Radio, traders operating in areas such as Kubri Aboba alleged that they are being targeted by different groups demanding payments of over 200,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) multiple times within a single month. They argue that to avoid operating at a loss, they have no choice but to pass these costs on to the consumers. “Traders tend to increase the prices of goods for several reasons. One common reason is to anticipate upcoming changes, such as tax hikes... in any situation where prices are expected to change, traders often raise their prices slightly to cope with these adjustments,” one trader at Kubri Aboba explained. The trader further noted that the strain is not just local, but compounded by broader economic pressures. “For example, the price of one kilogram of cow meat is currently 40 South Sudan Pounds. Despite global price increases... the cost remains high here.” The lack of coordination between tax-collecting entities appears to be a major point of frustration. Another trader described a “cycle of confusion,” stating that different groups often demand high payments for the same issues within days of each other. “Different groups may come asking for payments repeatedly over a short period... one group might ask for over 200,000 Pounds each month, and then another group may come asking for the same or similar payments after a few days or months,” the trader said. In response to the outcry, Ladu Lukak Legge, the Chairperson of the South Sudan National Chamber of Commerce, told Eye Radio that the market is expected to stabilize soon. Lukak attributed the recent inflation partly to a backlog of commercial trucks at the Nimule border due to a now-resolved electronic-tax dispute. As these trucks begin arriving in Juba, Lukak believes the increase in supply will naturally force prices down. “The prices of goods are expected to decrease in the coming days. This is because traders are communicating among themselves in a market with limited supplies,” Lukak stated. “Typically, when supplies are scarce, prices tend to rise; however, in this situation, there is an oversupply of goods. As a result, prices will drop automatically.” He added that many traders would be forced to sell existing stock at lower rates to generate the cash flow needed to purchase the new shipments currently arriving from the border. The resolution of the tax-related delays at Nimule follows weeks of uncertainty for importers, which had led to a temporary shortage of goods in the capital. While the Chamber of Commerce remains optimistic about a decline in prices, traders maintain that until the issue of “multiple charges” and “repeated payments” at the local level is addressed, the cost of doing business in Juba will remain unsustainably high.