South Sudan has officially adopted its first-ever National Youth Development Policy and National Sports Development Policy, marking a major milestone in efforts to empower young people and strengthen the role of sports in national development.
The policies were signed in Juba on Thursday by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mary Nawai Martin, during a ceremony attended by government officials, youth leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners.
The signing follows Parliament’s approval of the Youth Bill, establishing a framework to enhance youth participation in governance and broaden access to sports programs throughout the country’s 10 states and three administrative areas.
Speaking at the event, Minister Nawai described the country’s large youth population as a vital national asset that must be supported through deliberate policies and investments.
“Our nation is blessed with a youthful population. This is not a challenge; it is our greatest opportunity,” she said.
Young people account for roughly 72 percent of the population in South Sudan, placing them at the center of the country’s long-term development, peacebuilding, and economic transformation.
According to the minister, with proper investment in education, skills development, and employment opportunities, youth can become innovators, entrepreneurs, peacebuilders, and future leaders who contribute meaningfully to the country’s stability and growth.
However, she warned that neglecting youth development could have serious consequences.
“When neglected, the same potential can be lost to unemployment and may contribute to instability in the country,” Nawai added.
Civil society leader Florence Agiba praised the move as a strong commitment to youth development in South Sudan but stressed that results will depend on action.
“The future of South Sudan will be defined by the choices we make today regarding our youth,” she said.
The newly adopted National Youth Development Policy proposes allocating at least 10 percent of the national budget to youth-related programs.
The funding is expected to support vocational training, job creation initiatives, and youth empowerment activities across the country.
The policy also seeks to address several long-standing challenges facing young people, including unemployment, discrimination, and limited access to resources and opportunities.
The signing ceremony took place during a Youth–Government Dialogue organized by Markaz Al Salam in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of South Sudan and the South Sudan National Youth Union, with support from Norwegian People’s Aid.
The initiative was implemented under a project titled “Enhancing Youth-Led Legislative Reform in South Sudan,” which has supported advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening youth participation in national policymaking processes.
Stakeholders at the event described the signing as a historic achievement, noting that the policies were the result of more than 14 years of advocacy, consultations, and collaboration between youth groups, civil society organizations, and government institutions.
Beyond youth empowerment, the National Sports Development Policy is expected to strengthen sports institutions, promote talent development, and use sports as a platform for unity, peace, and social cohesion across the country.
Participants commended youth representatives, civil society actors, and government leaders for their persistence in pushing the policies forward.
The next crucial step will be ensuring the effective implementation of the policies so that commitments translate into tangible programs that expand opportunities for young people and contribute to sustainable development and stability in South Sudan.
