South Sudan
As a least-developed country (LDC), South Sudan is a beneficiary of the EU's "Everything but Arms" (EBA) arrangement. The World Bank classifies South Sudan as a low-income economy; recent data on per-capita income are not available. EU imports from South Sudan amounted to about €1.1 million in 2023. The country has hardly made use of its preferential access to the EU market in recent years; in 2013, their value was just above €10 thousand.
What is the EBA?
The EBA arrangement covers all LDCs as classified by the United Nations. This arrangement enables duty-free and quota-free access for all products originating in LDCs except for arms and ammunition. Unlike beneficiaries of the Standard GSP and GSP+, LDCs are not excluded from the scheme if they benefit from other preferential arrangements or agreements with the EU.
At a glance: EU preferential imports from EBA beneficiary countries (2023, € million)
11.5M (2023)
Population
Presidential Republic
Government
2.5% (2023)
GDP Growth
2.4% (2023)
Inflation
no data
GDP
Facts about South Sudan's economy
Landlocked Economy
South Sudan is a landlocked economy in east-central Africa and only gained independence in 2011. Most of the territory is covered in tropical forest, swamps, and grassland. Most of the population lives in rural areas and depends on subsistence farming.
Export Products
South Sudan's by far most important export product are petroleum oils, followed (in 2023) by oil seeds and gold.
Trade Partners
South Sudan's most important trading partners in 2023 were China (27% of total trade), Uganda (26%), and Singapore (12%). China and Singapore are the most important export markets for Sudanese products. Most imports originate from Uganda, Kenya, and China.
Economic Structure
The petroleum industry is the cornerstone of South Sudan's economy and oil rents regularly contribute about 40% to the country's GDP, making it one of the most oil dependent countries in the world. The remaining industrial activity remains small and is hampered by lacking infrastructure. The agricultural sector mainly serves subsistence purposes. Important crops are sorghum, corn, millet, rice, and cassava. Peanuts are the most important cash crop.
Usage of EBA Preferences
South Sudan used EBA preferences for the first time in 2023, with a preference utilisation rate of 27%. In absolute terms, preferential exports were however quite limited, reaching about €13,000.
Trade with the EU
Total trade with the EU amounted to €64 million in 2023, making the EU the country's fifth largest trading partner. EU imports from South Sudan collapsed in 2023, to just above €1 million, from €134 million in 2022.
South Sudan and the EU
Imports from South Sudan by product section (2023, € million)
Imports from South Sudan over time (€ million)
SOUTH SUDAN AND THE EU GSP
Economic Impact
4%
Only a small share of South Sudan's exports to the EU were eligible for EBA preferences in 2023.
27%
South Sudan's preference utilisation rate in 2023.
97%
Share of zero-duty imports from South Sudan. Most imports are duty-free under normal EU tariffs.
Preference utilisation and export diversification
EU imports from South Sudan (€ million)
Preference utilisation (%) vs. total eligible imports (in € million)
Despite a substantial increase in overall EU imports from South Sudan between 2019 and 2022, the EBA beneficiary has not made use of the preferences granted by the arrangement. Only a small share of imports from South Sudan are eligible for EBA preferences, as most products imported from South Sudan such as minerals and nuts already benefit from zero most-favoured-nation duties. Therefore, EBA-eligible imports have been insignificant.
The largest product sections under EBA (€ million, 2023)
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The preferential access to the EU market granted by the EBA scheme is not bound to the ratification of international conventions. Nonetheless, South Sudan has ratified 3 core UN conventions on human rights and 7 out of 8 ILO labour rights conventions. Furthermore, South Sudan has ratified 3 environmental protection conventions and the UN Convention against Corruption.
Core international conventions on human rights and labour standards
Ratified
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1981)
- Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1987)
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
- Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour, No 29 (1930)
- Convention concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to Organise and to Bargain Collectively, No 98 (1949)
- Convention concerning Equal Remuneration of Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value, No 100 (1951)
- Convention concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour, No 105 (1957)
- Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation, No 111 (1958)
- Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, No 138 (1973)
- Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, No 182 (1999)
Not Ratified
- Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969)
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976)
- International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1976)
- Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, No 87 (1948)
Additional Conventions
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973)
- Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)
- Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
- United Nations Convention against Corruption (2004)
EU-South Sudan Bilateral Development Cooperation
DG INTPA
Access all info about EU-South Sudan relations on the International Partnerships website.