AGP Executive Report

AI and Security: The UN Security Council will examine how AI and emerging technologies affect conflict prevention, civilian protection and peacekeeping during Latvia’s November presidency. Health Preparedness: A new report warns that weak investment in outbreak readiness has left the world vulnerable to disease threats; meanwhile, most new cases in Congo’s deadly Ebola outbreak are emerging beyond monitored contact networks. Digital Capacity: South Sudan’s ICT minister joined an African Union meeting on the continent’s digital transformation, while South Sudanese officials and media professionals are taking part in a China-led seminar on digital communication and AI. Cybersecurity: Researchers and sources allege Israeli ad-tech firm Discover-Tech used online ad purchases to track Starlink users across more than 100 countries, including South Sudan; the company’s activity raises concerns about location and browsing data exposure.

Starlink Privacy: An Israeli ad-tech firm, Discover-Tech, is accused of using online ad auctions to track Starlink users in more than 100 countries, including South Sudan. Researchers say bidders may receive data that can reveal users’ locations and online activity; the allegations remain under investigation. Digital Media: South Sudanese participants joined 70 others from 16 countries at a Beijing seminar on digital communication, media platforms and emerging tools such as AI. Regional ICT: South Sudan’s caretaker ICT minister represented the country at an African Union ICT meeting in Gabon focused on the continent’s digital transformation. University Digitisation: Questions have been raised over the University of Juba’s decision to hire a Kenyan firm for digitisation, though details of the concerns were not reported.

Energy and LNG: Russia is targeting African markets with gas exports and has offered its LNG technology for joint projects. South Sudan is among the landlocked countries facing transport barriers to reliable gas supply. Science Education: After returning from the Russia–Africa summit, President Salva Kiir said Russia had raised its scholarship quota for South Sudanese students to 40 for 2026–27; the fields of study were not specified. Digital Development: South Sudan’s ICT minister joined African ministers at an AU technology meeting in Gabon focused on the continent’s digital transformation, giving the country a chance to engage on shared priorities. Oil Sector: South Sudan and Russia reached a preliminary agreement to transfer Petronas shares in two oil-producing consortiums to Russian state-owned Zarubezhneft.

Student Opportunities: Russia has increased its scholarship quota for South Sudan to 40 places for 2026–27, President Vladimir Putin said during talks with Salva Kiir. The fields of study were not specified. Digital Skills: A South Sudanese delegation joined a China-hosted seminar on digital communication and media cooperation, where officials discussed AI and other emerging technologies. Workforce Readiness: A labour assessment found a 65.7% skills mismatch as young people struggle to find work, underscoring the need to better align training with employer demand. University Digitisation: Public questions have been raised over the University of Juba’s decision to hire a Kenyan firm for digitisation.

Education Links: President Salva Kiir returned to Juba after the Russia-Africa Summit, where Moscow pledged 40 scholarships for South Sudanese students in 2026–27; study fields were not specified. Digital Media: South Sudan took part in a Beijing seminar on digital communications, where officials discussed AI and emerging media technologies. Skills Gap: A labour assessment found a 65.7% mismatch between workers’ skills and job needs as young people struggle to find work, highlighting the call for more practical training. University Digitisation: Public questions over the University of Juba’s decision to hire a Kenyan firm for digitisation have put the project’s procurement under scrutiny.

Education & Training: Russia has raised its scholarship quota for South Sudanese students to 40 for 2026–27, President Vladimir Putin said during talks with Salva Kiir; study fields were not specified. Jobs & Skills: A UNDP assessment in Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal found 65.7% of respondents felt their skills did not match available jobs, underscoring the need for practical training. Health Science: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has exceeded 10,000 confirmed cases. African health ministers are urging stronger surveillance and cross-border coordination, while a trial in Congo is testing whether an existing Ebola vaccine can protect against the Bundibugyo strain. Digital Media: South Sudan joined representatives from 15 other countries at a Beijing seminar on digital communication, where organizers highlighted the growing role of AI and other technologies in media.

Climate Action: South Sudan’s environment ministry says children will be prioritised in climate policy ahead of COP31, as floods, drought and displacement threaten their access to schools, health care and clean water. Ebola Research: The Bundibugyo outbreak in neighbouring DR Congo has passed 10,000 confirmed cases; a vaccine trial has begun, testing a vaccine developed for a different Ebola species. Digital Services: The University of Juba’s decision to hire Kenyan firm AppKings for digitisation has prompted questions about whether local IT staff and graduates were considered; the contract’s value and scope have not been disclosed. Tech Skills: A UNDP assessment found 65.7% of surveyed respondents in Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal believe their skills do not match available jobs. ICT was among the sectors identified as having job-creation potential.

Ebola Response: The DRC outbreak has topped 10,000 confirmed cases, with nearly 5,000 deaths. African health ministers agreed to strengthen cross-border surveillance while keeping borders open; a vaccine trial has begun, but no vaccine is approved for the Bundibugyo strain. Climate Action: South Sudan’s Environment Ministry says children’s protection must be built into climate policy, as floods and drought threaten homes, schools, food and water. Digital Security: Researchers say an ad-tech firm heavily targeted Starlink advertising auctions in more than 100 countries, including South Sudan, raising concerns about location tracking. The findings do not prove users were successfully tracked. University Digitisation: The University of Juba hired Kenyan firm AppKings to digitise its operations, prompting questions about involving local IT staff and graduates; contract details were not disclosed. Farming Innovation: In flood-prone Aweil, more than 2,100 households are growing rice on waterlogged land, turning a threat to sorghum harvests into a food-production opportunity.

Digital Media: South Sudan joined representatives from 15 other countries at a Beijing seminar on digital communications, AI and media cooperation, as China seeks to deepen technology ties with participating nations. University Digitisation: The University of Juba’s contract with Kenyan firm AppKings has drawn questions about why local IT staff and graduates were not involved; the university has not disclosed the project’s cost or scope. Cybersecurity: Researchers said an ad-tech firm was the leading bidder for Starlink-related advertising in South Sudan, raising concerns that ad-auction data could be used to locate or monitor users. The findings do not show that individual subscribers were tracked. AI Cooperation: South Sudan’s delegation at the Russia–Africa summit joined talks expected to produce a declaration on civilian AI use.

Agricultural Innovation: More than 2,100 households in Northern Bahr el Ghazal are growing rice on flood-prone land, with about 1,000 hectares planted as farmers adapt to conditions that often ruin sorghum crops. Digital Services: The University of Juba has hired Kenyan firm AppKings to digitise its operations, prompting questions about whether the university’s own IT staff and computer science graduates will be involved. Cybersecurity: Researchers say Israeli firm Discover-Tech led suspicious ad bidding targeting Starlink users in South Sudan and more than 100 other countries, raising concerns that advertising data could reveal users’ locations. The findings do not confirm that individuals were tracked. Skills and Technology: A UNDP assessment found many employers struggle to find applicants with the right skills; information and communication technology is among sectors identified as having job potential. International Cooperation: President Salva Kiir is in Moscow for talks that are expected to cover cooperation in technology, energy, agriculture and education.

University Digitisation: The University of Juba’s contract with Kenyan firm AppKings has raised questions about why local IT staff and graduates were not involved; the project’s cost and selection process have not been disclosed. Cybersecurity: Researchers say Discover-Tech was the top bidder for Starlink-related ads in South Sudan, as in more than 100 countries, raising concerns about possible location tracking. The findings do not show that users were successfully tracked. Skills and Jobs: A UNDP assessment found only 38.9% of surveyed employers think applicants have the skills needed for available jobs; it identified ICT among sectors with employment potential. Climate-Smart Farming: More than 2,100 households in Aweil are growing rice on flood-prone land, with about 1,000 hectares under cultivation, turning seasonal flooding into a source of food and income.

Cybersecurity: Researchers say an Israeli ad-tech firm was the leading bidder for ads linked to Starlink traffic in South Sudan and more than 100 other countries, raising fears that ad data could be used to locate users. The findings do not show that individual subscribers were tracked or that Starlink’s network was breached. Flood-smart Farming: In Aweil, more than 2,100 households are growing rice on flood-prone land, turning water that often destroys sorghum into a harvest opportunity. The initiative covers about 1,000 hectares and includes training and group farming. Digital Services: Juba-based Crawford Capital has worked on government e-services, customs systems and business registration; its role in public revenue systems has also drawn scrutiny over allegations raised by international institutions. Agricultural Science: South Sudan and seven other East African countries have adopted shared rules for testing and registering biopesticides, a move intended to ease approvals and widen farmers’ access to biological crop-protection products.

Russia Technology Talks: President Salva Kiir is in Moscow for the Russia–Africa Summit, where South Sudan says it will explore cooperation in technology and education alongside energy, agriculture and infrastructure. Biopesticides: South Sudan is among eight countries adopting common rules for testing and registering biopesticides, a move intended to ease delays and widen farmers’ access to crop-protection technology. Solar Power: South Sudan’s expanding solar projects are opening demand for equipment, installation and maintenance, including systems for youth centres and other community services. Oil Technology: As the country seeks to raise production, opportunities include digital tools, field automation and other technologies for exploration and existing oilfields. Health Skills: South Sudanese graduate Abel Ajak Geu has completed sonography training in Ghana and been inducted into its Allied Health Professions Council.

Agricultural Science: South Sudan is among eight East African countries adopting shared biopesticide testing and registration rules, intended to speed approvals and widen farmers’ access to biological crop protection. Digital Finance: The Bank of South Sudan launched a communications strategy to explain monetary policy and strengthen public and media engagement. Regional Partnerships: President Kiir’s Moscow summit agenda includes potential cooperation in technology, education and energy. Energy Technology: A World Bank-backed $53 million project includes $16.8 million for Juba grid expansion; a separate solar initiative targets youth centres in Bor, Renk, Malakal, Rumbek and Yambio. Oil Exploration: South Sudan is seeking partners in seismic, subsurface and digital technologies as it works to raise oil production.

Power Grid: A $53 million World Bank-backed project is advancing electricity expansion in Juba, including a $16.8 million package for distribution upgrades. A planned Uganda interconnector could further strengthen South Sudan’s power supply. Solar Access: Distributed solar is gaining ground, with proposed systems for youth centres in Bor, Renk, Malakal, Rumbek and Yambio creating demand for installation and maintenance skills. Health Technology: A UK-backed mobile laboratory planned for Yambio aims to improve disease detection, while a Korean-built “smart camp” in South Sudan showcases technology in UN operations. Oil Technology: Digital and engineering tools are being promoted to support exploration and boost output from existing oil fields.

Technology Diplomacy: President Salva Kiir travelled to Moscow on October 26 for the Russia–Africa Summit, where South Sudan plans to explore technology partnerships. Artificial intelligence is also on the summit agenda. Power & Solar: A $53 million World Bank-backed project is advancing electricity grid expansion in Juba, including a $16.8 million procurement package for network upgrades. South Sudan is also pursuing decentralized solar power and a planned power link with Uganda. Oil Exploration: New seismic surveys and digital analysis could help identify prospects in South Sudan’s underexplored acreage, where 14 blocks are open to investors. Health & Emergency Technology: A UK-backed mobile laboratory is planned for Yambio to support disease detection, while South Korea’s Hanbit Unit has launched what it describes as South Sudan’s first UN “smart camp.”