By Staff Writer

In 2019, the Government of South Sudan, through the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology and Postal Services, resolved to embrace Electronic Governance (E-Government) aimed at the development and promotion of a system of transparent, efficient and responsible government as well as strengthening of citizens’ active participation at all level of the government. As a result of this resolution, a Framework Agreement on the Implementing, Operating and Maintenance of E-Government was signed between the Ministry of ICT & Postal Services and Crawford Capital Ltd as a contractor to implement the Framework Agreement. Under this agreement, an E-Government Board of Directors was constituted with membership from the Ministry of ICT & Postal Services and Crawford Capital Ltd to oversee the implementation of the E-Government and digital transformation agenda.

For the record, Crawford Capital Ltd has immensely contributed to the Government of South Sudan’s ambitious digitalization agenda aimed at enhancing and boosting the collection of non-oil revenues as well as improving the lives of the citizens of South Sudan through technology and innovation that has enhanced accessibility and efficiency in the delivery of government services to citizens. Since the beginning of the implementation of the Framework Agreement for Implementing, Operating and Maintenance of E-Government Services between Crawford Capital Limited and the Government of South Sudan represented by the Ministry of ICT and Postal Services about 5 years ago, there has been a tremendous increase in the total collection of non-oil revenues as well as digitalization of different government services.

Capacity Building and Training for South Sudan Revenue Authority

Under this Framework Agreement, Crawford Capital Limited has trained and enhanced the technical and human capacity of the staff of the South Sudan Revenue Authority for back-end running and operation of the non-oil revenue collection through a digital tax system (E-Tax). This has seen an exponential increase in the collection of non-oil revenues. Through the digital system successfully implemented jointly by Crawford Capital and SSRA, all the loopholes through which non-oil revenues used to be stolen or diverted by unscrupulous clearing agents, importers and government officials have been sealed. This has been successfully achieved through rigorous training and capacity-building programs for staff of SSRA in charge of managing the digital system, hence improving efficient and effective tax administration.

Technical expertise and support to SSRA

Crawford Capital continues to provide technical expertise and support to SSRA and other MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan. As part of the Framework Agreement, Crawford Capital has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the government’s ambitious digitalization and transformation agenda and its immense contribution to the digital economy. It is now easy to obtain visas and other documents online. Citizens and businesses can pay taxes online as well as apply and receive myriads of personal and business documents such as civil registration services (identification cards, passports) and business registration services (certificates and licenses) by the click of a button on their electronic devices.

Digital Inclusion and Financial Services

With extensive experience in telecommunications, digital solutions and mobile money applications, Crawford Capital is significantly contributing to providing closer access to the majority of South Sudanese to financial services through the government’s digitalization agenda. Through Capital Pay, one can carry out normal business transactions such as mobile money transfers, paying bills, buying airtime and much more. Crawford Capital has brought financial services closer to citizens who would have never had access to these services through normal banking and money transfer services. This has greatly contributed to the Government of South Sudan’s devolution agenda of basic services or “taking towns to people” as once said by the late leader of SPLM, Dr. John Garang De Mabior and has improved South Sudan citizens’ lives.

Combating Corruption, Bureaucracy and Inefficiencies

Through the digital tax system, being implemented jointly by Crawford Capital and South Sudan Revenue Authority, many loopholes and challenges facing tax collection such as multiplicity of taxes, poor tax administration, regulatory challenges, tax evasion, avoidance and corruption are being addressed through various reforms key among them is the digitalization of collection of tax revenues. These efforts have seen increased collection of non-oil revenues over the last 4 years since the beginning of the implementation of the Framework Agreement for Implementing, Operating and Maintenance of E-Government Services specifically on the Digital Collections Services Implementation through electronic system.

Conclusion

Despite enormous political, social and economic challenges facing South Sudan, Crawford Capital Ltd has played a pivotal role in efficient, effective, transparent non-oil revenue collection through the digital system. Since the shutdown of oil production because of the civil war in Sudan, the South Sudan Revenue Authority, with the support of Crawford Capital Ltd, has been able to increase revenue collection, hence ensuring that the government can meet some of its short-term financial obligations.

Crawford Capital Ltd has effectively helped the South Sudan Revenue Authority to put in place an efficient tax administration through the well-educated, well-trained,highly remunerated and motivated staff of Sthe outh Sudan Revenue Authority.

Crawford Capital Ltd does not collect revenues on behalf of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, nor does Crawford Capital Ltd have any role in how the revenues collected are used. Crawford Capital Ltd only manages the digital/electronic tax collection system through the provision of the system, maintenance, system audit and integrations with various government departments and aagenciesas required bby theSouth Sudan Revenue Authority. As such, Crawford Capital is only paid for maintenance and support services of the digital tax system.

Finally, Crawford Capital Ltd has catalysed the positive impact of digital transformation on the lives of South Sudan citizens. It has contributed to bringing government or public vital services within reach of ordinary citizens by enhancing the lives of citizens through innovation and technology. Crawford Capital is committed to supporting the South Sudan Revenue Authority and the entire government of South Sudan’s long-term vision for inclusive economic growth and prosperity through the use of technology.

 VIA Sixty 4 Tribes