By Garang A Freeman
I was surprised last week when I went to open an account with Stanbic Bank in Juba, South Sudan.
They said they have closed opportunities for South Sudanese to open bank accounts at Stanbic Bank. I insisted to know the reason why they wouldn’t allow South Sudanese to open accounts. But to my surprise, this Kenyan lady at Customer Care, whom I tolerated her rudeness the moment I interacted with her told me that South Sudanese are not serious when it comes to banking because they are illiterate as the study shows illiteracy rate to be 82%. She went on to say South Sudanese receive lower wages in SSP when Stanbic Bank is interested in USD.
She said only Kenyans, Somalis, Ethiopians and Nigerians and other foreigners are allowed to open accounts and access loans because they know how to do big businesses compared to South Sudanese who rely on small businesses. She said they only open accounts to South Sudanese introduced by UN agencies and international NGOs but letters from local companies and NNGOs are not welcome. This is unfair and unacceptable. All banks should treat all customers equal.
The NSS Economic Division needs to do something wallai. Those banks should be investigated and front desk jobs given to South Sudanese who will treat their fellows with fairness and respect.
