Traders in Northern Bahr el Ghazal urged to pay taxes before December elections

The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State government has urged traders to renew their business licences and pay annual taxes before the December general elections, as authorities prepare to begin revenue collection across the state.

The caretaker governor has directed the caretaker Minister of Finance and Planning to engage the business community in Aweil to discuss challenges affecting traders and encourage them to fulfil their tax obligations ahead of the elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with business representatives, the caretaker Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Dominic Kang Deng, said the upcoming elections had disrupted the normal schedule for licence renewals and annual tax payments, which are usually collected in December.

Kang said traders had agreed to renew their business licences and pay their annual taxes before the elections.

He also announced that revenue collection from the business community would begin the following Monday across the state’s five counties and two municipalities.

Meanwhile, the caretaker Minister of Finance and Investment, Hon. Garang Yak Kuol, thanked traders for their contribution to the state’s economy and the livelihoods of Aweil residents.

Kuol said businesspeople had raised several concerns affecting their operations during the meeting.

“The state government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State will work hand in hand with the business community. The security of businesspeople is paramount, and measures will be put in place to ensure their safety during the election period,” he said.

The minister urged traders to cooperate with the government to promote sustainable economic growth and maintain reasonable prices for goods in local markets.

Deng Makol Athian, chairperson of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Chamber of Commerce, said traders had agreed to work with the government to address challenges facing businesses in Aweil.

Athian said businesspeople had raised concerns about high taxes and called for a reduction in tax rates, arguing that lower taxes could help reduce the prices of goods for consumers.

In his remarks, Athian explained that the meeting was intended to harmonise annual business licensing arrangements and give traders an opportunity to raise concerns affecting their operations.

He said the normal December or January licensing schedule had been brought forward to October and November to accommodate the December elections.

Athian also praised the newly appointed caretaker Minister of Finance and Investment for improving cooperation and strengthening relations between the government and the business community.

The meeting was attended by the caretaker ministers of Finance and Investment and Information and Communication, the acting mayor of Aweil Town, the Chamber of Commerce chairperson and members of the business community from across the state.

The planned early collection of taxes and licence fees is intended to allow the state to complete the process before the general elections, while discussions between the government and traders are expected to continue over taxation, business security and market prices.