Sudan Country Profile

Snapshot of the Sudan Country Profile


While still being characterised as weak, Sudan's economy has been steadily improving in recent years due to high oil prices. Foreign investment is concentrated in construction and transportation, sectors that are recognised worldwide as being highly corruption-prone. Corruption is, on the other hand, a considerable problem all over Sudan, where it takes the form of grand scale theft of public funds as well as petty corruption.

Positive developments in relation to corruption and investment:

  • At the end of May 2009, Southern Sudan's President reshuffled his cabinet following allegations of corruption and mismanagement, sacking his finance minister and two other officials.
  • Southern Sudan's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been given special status beyond other public institutions as part of the government's efforts to step up the fight against corruption in the country.
  • The ACC launched a five-year Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan in December 2009, developed through consultation with stakeholders in the government, private sector and civil society. As part of this strategy, the ACC has issued a declaration to all executive and legislative officials and senior civil servants to disclose their income and assets by the end of May 2010.

Risks of corruption:

  • Public servants are known to demand bribes to provide services to which individuals and companies are legally entitled.
  • Government officials are frequently involved in corrupt practices. For example, high-level officials obtain extra income from importing goods without paying the proper taxes and tariffs. They can do so with impunity, as officials suspected of corruption are not investigated, although the Auditor General has called for prosecution of members of government for embezzlement of public funds.
  • The lack of transparency in Sudan is maintained not only because of the weak administrative set-up that allows for poor record keeping and lax budget handling, but also due to the lack of legislation providing for public access to government information and by the fact that the government does not voluntarily provide such information.