Agenda 74 Agency

Agenda 74 Mission: East African Community / Republic of South Sudan

Care to Change the World

Introduction: A Strategic Commitment to Social Equity and Digital Sovereignty

The Agenda 74 Mission in the East African Community, with a focused entry point in the Republic of South Sudan, represents a long-term commitment to advancing social equity, digital sovereignty, and institutional resilience across the region. Anchored in the Agenda for Social Equity 2074, this mission is not a project, but a generational undertaking — one that aligns national aspirations with continental frameworks such as Agenda 2063, and global compacts including the Sustainable Development Goals.

South Sudan, as the youngest nation in the world and a future full member of the EAC, stands at a critical juncture. The Agenda 74 Mission recognises this moment not as a challenge, but as an opportunity to co-create a new institutional architecture — one that is people-centred, digitally enabled, and globally aligned.

SUDESA: The Institutional Engine of Transformation

At the heart of this mission lies SUDESA — South Sudan Digital Equity and Social Advancement. Established under the auspices of the European Social Label (EUSL) and in partnership with the Government of South Sudan, SUDESA is designed as a semi-autonomous, co-owned institution with a ten-year mandate to lead the country’s digital and social transformation.

SUDESA is not an implementing agency. It is a strategic enabler — a platform for coordination, innovation, and accountability. Its mandate spans four critical domains:

Digitalisation of Government and Public Sector Infrastructure
Agricultural Modernisation and Food Sovereignty
Social Development and Institutional Capacity Building
Gender Equity and the Advancement of Women’s Rights

Its operational model draws from the successful precedent of ACTESA under COMESA, while expanding its scope to reflect the unique needs and aspirations of South Sudan. SUDESA is embedded within the GSIA framework and operates through the Flowhub PPP model, ensuring that all interventions are co-financed, co-governed, and co-owned by the people they are meant to serve.

Why South Sudan? Why Now?

The establishment of SUDESA follows the formalisation of the SDEP Buyer’s Agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, and the growing demand for a unified, non-partisan mechanism to lead digital transformation. South Sudan’s entry into the digital era must not be fragmented or donor-driven. It must be sovereign, strategic, and socially anchored.

SUDESA provides the institutional home for this transition — one that is not beholden to political cycles, but accountable to the long-term vision of the South Sudanese people. It is designed to interface with global partners, including Microsoft, Meta, and Google, while recommending Microsoft as the preferred partner for ease of integration and scalability.

Alignment with Agenda 2074 and Global Frameworks

SUDESA is fully aligned with the Social Global Goals of Agenda 2074, particularly:

Goal 1: Digital Sovereignty for All
Goal 3: Social Equity through Infrastructure
Goal 5: Gender Justice and Institutional Inclusion
Goal 9: Regional Integration and Global Partnerships

It also supports South Sudan’s national development plans, the EAC Vision 2050, and the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy.

Partnerships and Strategic Engagement

SUDESA is positioned to serve as a convening platform for multilateral and bilateral partners. Engagements are underway with:

African Development Bank (AfDB)
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)
Swedfund
The AP Funds (Första–Fjärde AP-fonderna)

These partnerships are not merely financial. They are strategic alliances for co-creation, capacity building, and long-term impact.

Institutional Architecture

SUDESA is governed through a streamlined and accountable structure designed to deliver strategic coordination, technical excellence, and inclusive transformation. Its operations are led by a central Secretariat, supported by specialised departments and offices that reflect its multi-sectoral mandate.

Secretariat

The Secretariat serves as the executive arm of SUDESA, responsible for day-to-day operations, strategic coordination, and institutional representation. It is led by an Executive Director, jointly appointed by the co-owners — the Government of South Sudan and the European Social Label (EUSL).

Department of Digital Transformation and Data Governance

Leads the design and deployment of national digital infrastructure, including identity systems, e-government platforms, and data governance frameworks. Ensures interoperability, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty across public institutions.

Department of Agriculture and Food Systems

Drives the digital modernisation of agriculture through farmer registries, agri-tech platforms, and food systems analytics. Supports national food security, rural development, and climate-resilient production.

Department of Social Development and Public Services

Coordinates institutional reform, civil service capacity building, and the digital transformation of public service delivery. Strengthens transparency, accountability, and citizen access to essential services.

Department of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Develops and monitors gender-responsive policies, inclusion frameworks, and protection systems. Promotes equitable access, representation, and empowerment for women, youth, and marginalised groups.

Department of Innovation and Youth Empowerment

Fosters innovation ecosystems, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship among youth. Supports leadership development and inclusive participation in national transformation efforts.

Office of Strategy, Policy, and Research

Provides strategic planning, policy development, and evidence-based research to guide SUDESA’s programs. Ensures alignment with Agenda 2074 and national development frameworks.

Office of Legal Affairs and Institutional Compliance

Oversees legal integrity, regulatory alignment, and institutional safeguards. Ensures compliance with national laws, international standards, and co-ownership agreements.

Office of Finance and Administration

Manages financial operations, budgeting, procurement, and internal administration. Supports operational efficiency, transparency, and resource accountability across all departments.

Digitalisation and Fiber Optics

South Sudan stands at the threshold of a digital era. With the establishment of SUDESA under the Agenda 74 Mission, the country is now positioned to build a sovereign digital infrastructure that not only modernises governance but also unlocks large-scale economic opportunity. At the heart of this transformation lies a national commitment to fiber optic connectivity, cloud-based public services, and inclusive digital access.

Strategic Vision

The digitalisation of South Sudan is not a technical exercise — it is a sovereign act of nation-building. Through fiber optics and digital infrastructure, the country will gain the tools to govern transparently, deliver services equitably, and participate meaningfully in the regional and global digital economy.

Fiber Optics as a National Enabler

Fiber optic infrastructure is the backbone of any modern digital economy. For South Sudan, the deployment of a national fiber backbone — connected to regional and continental networks — will enable:

High-speed, low-latency internet access across urban and rural areas
Secure, scalable platforms for e-government, education, health, and finance
Interoperability between ministries, agencies, and local governments
A foundation for private sector innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship

SUDESA, through its Department of Digital Transformation and Data Governance, will coordinate the planning, financing, and phased rollout of this infrastructure in partnership with the Ministry of ICT, regional RECs, and private sector actors under the Flowhub PPP model.

Digitalisation as a Job Creation Engine

Digitalisation is not only a governance reform — it is a national employment strategy. The rollout of fiber optics and digital systems will generate thousands of jobs across multiple sectors:

Infrastructure Deployment: Civil works, trenching, installation, and maintenance
Technical Services: Network engineering, cybersecurity, cloud operations, and data management
Public Sector Reform: New roles in digital administration, service delivery, and analytics
Youth and Innovation: Startups, digital platforms, and local content creation
Training and Certification: A national digital skills program will be launched through SUDESA in partnership with EUSL, Microsoft, and UCE/UACE

This approach ensures that digitalisation is not extractive, but inclusive and locally owned, with a focus on building a skilled workforce and resilient institutions.