The Director General of the National Communication Authority, Napoleon Adok Gai on Friday said South Sudan is building essential digital infrastructure to widen internet connectivity across the country.

“South Sudan is in a process of developing, building digital infrastructure requires collective efforts. We are still building the necessary digital infrastructure to support wide spread connectivity demand that our country needs,” said Gai on Friday at the University of Juba during the 2024 edition of South Sudan internet governance forum.

He revealed that the country is experiencing challenges in terms of internet coverage, adding that they are adopting and tailoring global standards to fit specific challenges and opportunities.

“In our work with the international telecommunication union, we focus not just on adopting global standards but also on localizing these frameworks to fit our specific challenges and opportunities, it is about tailoring them to fit our own vision for digital growth,” said Gai.

Unguec Stephen Kang, the Assistant Director for Cyber security and also the National Coordinator for South Sudan Internet Governance Forum, said the internet is a driver for development, innovations and social transformation, adding that it that remains a platform for empowerment, education and economic opportunity. 

 “We will work to bridge the digital divide, combat online disinformation and prepare our nation to strive in an increasingly digital world. This forum is an opportunity to lay framework policies and practices that will shape our internet for the generation to come,” he said.

The 2024 edition of the South Sudan Internet Governance Forum organized by the National Communication Authority was held under the theme “Building our multi-stakeholder digital future in South Sudan.”