National Communication Authority (South Sudan)
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- Gieth Kon Mathiang, Director General
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 2015 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of South Sudan |
| Headquarters | Juba, South Sudan |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services |
| Website | www.nca.gov.ss |
The National Communication Authority is the national regulatory body responsible for managing the telecommunications, broadcasting, information and communications technology (ICT), and postal services sectors in the Republic of South Sudan. It operates under the mandate of the National Communication Act, 2012 and was officially launched in June 2015.[1][2]
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Gieth Kon Mathiang Kun assumed the role of the Director General of the agency, a day after his appointment, through a Republic Decree to replace his predecessor, Adok Napoleon.[3]
Leadership and organization
The authority is headed by the Director General, currently Gieth Kon Mathiang Kun, and operates under a board of directors.[6][7] It has 9 management personnel and 8 directorates including:
- Corporate Affairs
- Finance
- Research & Planning
- Regulations & Enforcement
- Technical Services
- Spectrum management
- Human Resources
- Administration & Logistics
Duties of the NCA
Under the 2012 Act and its statutory mandate, the NCA is responsible for:
- Licensing and regulating telecommunications, broadcasting, postal, and ICT service providers.[4][5]
- Managing radio-frequency spectrum and numbering resources.[8]
- Promoting fair competition in the communications market while protecting consumer rights.[1]
- Enforcing standards for communication equipment and services (type-approval, quality and compliance).[1]
- Administering universal access mandates (e.g. via a Universal Service and Access Fund) to expand communications and ICT services to underserved or rural areas.[4]
Key initiatives and activities
Infrastructure and digital access
The NCA works on expanding digital infrastructure across South Sudan. In 2024, it partnered with Starlink, a satellite internet provider, to increase broadband coverage in rural and underserved areas. It also signed a 15-year license agreement with MTN South Sudan in 2025, to improve service delivery and telecom investment.[9][10][11]
Regional and capacity development
On 11 March 2025, NCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) for technical training and cross-border collaboration in the mobile communication sector.[12] It also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GoGirls ICT to promote digital inclusion and empower women and girls through mentorship and digital skills development.[13][14]
Regulatory and revenue achievements
In April 2024, the NCA issued a 30-day ultimatum to unlicensed satellite service providers to register and regularize their operations, an enforcement of its licensing mandate under the 2012 Act.[15] Under its current leadership, the NCA has collected approximately SSP 5,000,000,000 monthly from telecom operators. It also enforces tariff regulation and licensing practices to stabilize service pricing and quality.[16]
Content regulation and crisis response
In January 2025, the NCA ordered the temporary suspension of Facebook and TikTok following the circulation of videos related to conflict in neighboring Sudan citing public safety and national-security concerns under the Communication Act. This raised concerns about freedom of expression amongst Human rights groups.[17][18][19][20] The ban was lifted on 27 January 2025, after the NCA declared that its objectives which is the removal of inflammatory content, had been met.[21][22]