Photo Credit| Ministry of ICT&Postal Services-Republic of South Sudan

South Sudan government spokesperson has told a summit in Kenya that the country is moving to strengthen its digital sector through key national projects aimed at expanding connectivity and improving data governance.

Speaking at the 15th Connected Africa Summit 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, Ateny said the government is in the process of establishing a national ICT Authority to guide the country’s digital transformation.

He said construction of a national data center is ongoing and is now halfway complete, a development expected to improve data management and digital services across the country.

The minister added that a Data Protection Act is also in progress and will soon become law, complementing the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Act 2025, which was passed last year and assented to by the President in 2026.

Ateny said the initiatives are aimed at strengthening South Sudan’s participation in the digital economy while ensuring data security and regulatory oversight.

He also noted ongoing infrastructure expansion, saying the government has begun laying fibre optic cables covering about 2,700 kilometres across the country to improve connectivity.

“We have started now with building the fibre optics, which will cover 2,700 kilometers inland in South Sudan. We started with initiating laws that govern the cyber crime and abuse of computer act 2025, which was passed last year and received the assent of the President in 2026,” he said.

“Now we are about to establish the ICT Authority. The other important thing is that we have a data centre being built. It is now halfway complete and the data protection act is on its way to becoming law in the country. Having these will actually enhance our ability to participate digitally and ensure,” he added:

The 15th Connected Africa Summit brought together leaders, policymakers and technology experts from across the continent to discuss building a unified and inclusive digital market for Africa.