An industrial chemical supplier, Tello General Trading Company Limited, officially launched operations in Juba on Thursday, marking the company’s expansion into the South Sudanese market, where it plans to supply specialty chemicals for oil production, mining, water treatment, and pest control.
The landscape of commerce, infrastructure development, and resource extraction in the world’s youngest nation has experienced significant evolution since its independence. The formal introduction and expansion of industrial chemical suppliers in South Sudan have become critical drivers for the nation’s petroleum sector, agricultural initiatives, and municipal water purification projects.
Speaking at the launch, Machar Achiek Ader, Advisor on Crude Oil and Marketing at the Ministry of Petroleum, welcomed the company’s entry into the country, noting that its arrival was long overdue given South Sudan’s vast oil sector needs.
“Wherever oil is produced, from exploration and development to production and marine terminals, we need field chemicals,” he said. “When joint operating companies relocated from Khartoum after independence, you should have come with them. However, we are glad you are here now.”
Ader commended Tello General Trading for partnering with young South Sudanese entrepreneurs to drive national development. He encouraged the firm to move beyond importing and eventually establish a local manufacturing plant in South Sudan to create jobs and streamline supply chains, which currently rely heavily on imports from Sudan, East Africa, and the Gulf. He added that the Ministry of Petroleum would provide full regulatory guidance to support their operations.
Meanwhile, Zubair Taban Zakayo, Director General for River Transport, welcomed Tello’s entrance and highlighted the critical relationship between logistics and commerce.
“Without transport, there is no trade,” he noted, recognizing the importance of chemicals in public health, sanitation, technology, and industry. “Our mandate at the Ministry of Transport is to facilitate trade by connecting international transport networks with local supply chains to move goods from production areas to communities.”
Zakayo reassured Tello General Trading of the government’s commitment to facilitating smooth operations: “The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of South Sudan is ready to cooperate with you and work alongside you as a partner.”
Outlining the company’s strategic vision, Tello General Trading Chief Executive Officer Ino Kelgou John emphasized high quality and local capacity building.
Headquartered in Dubai with operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, Tello offers chemical solutions across various sectors, including petroleum processing, mining, water purification, and fumigation.
He added that the company will initially import chemicals from its factory in Uganda while setting up its footprint in Juba.
“Our plan within six months of launching is to stabilize in the market, after which we intend to set up a local processing and manufacturing plant right here in South Sudan,” John stated. “We want to process products locally to build domestic industrial capacity.”
He revealed that international experts from Tello’s global branches will be brought in to train local staff. “Our core concept is to empower the local people of South Sudan by building their technical skills to meet international standards.
Tello is currently operating from a temporary space at the Imperial Plaza Hotel, while its main office along Airport Road undergoes renovation. Its regional storage facility is located in Gumbo, and the company has already begun engaging local partners, including Nice Water, to meet growing supply demands.
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