The recent advocacy by Professor John Akec Apuruot, Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, for the introduction of social insurance in South Sudan is a bold and intellectually compelling intervention in a national conversation that has long been avoided. His proposals are rooted in a genuine desire to protect citizens from the harsh reality of out-of-pocket healthcare, promote living wages, and build a system that guarantees dignity and economic security. These ideas reflect a sincere commitment to self-reliance, institutional reform, and national productivity. Indeed, insurance systems around the world have served as powerful engines of stability, capital accumulation, and social welfare.
However, while the vision is admirable, the current realities of South Sudan raise a critical question: is the country ready for such a policy today, or is this an idea whose time has not yet come? The difference between theoretical desirability and practical feasibility must guide any policy discussion in fragile and conflict-affected economies. In South Sudan, the most pressing need of the majority of citizens is survival, not long-term financial planning. Any policy that ignores this reality risks failure, public resistance, and unintended human suffering.
The gap between theory and reality
Professor Akec’s proposal assumes the existence of a functioning economic system, strong and accountable institutions, and a population integrated into formal employment. Yet South Sudan’s economy is largely informal, its financial sector remains fragile, and public trust in institutions is deeply eroded. The challenge is not the absence of laws or policies; rather, it is the absence of political will to implement them.
Government activities are frequently shaped by short-term political survival rather than long-term national development. In such an environment, introducing compulsory social insurance, particularly in healthcare, without first addressing institutional accountability, could deepen inequality. Millions of citizens who cannot afford contributions could be excluded from treatment.
The risk is that a policy intended to protect the vulnerable might instead penalize them. The country has witnessed similar ambitious programs collapse in the past due to weak governance, lack of transparency, and poor implementation. Without strong systems, even well-designed policies become instruments of frustration.
Financial literacy and the culture of consumption
One of the greatest barriers to insurance adoption in South Sudan is financial illiteracy. A large portion of the population prioritizes immediate consumption over future risk management. This is not merely a cultural issue but a structural one: low and irregular incomes make long-term planning difficult.
Insurance, by its nature, requires trust in the future and confidence in institutions. Citizens must believe that their contributions will be protected and that benefits will be delivered when needed. In a context where salaries are often delayed, banking systems are weak, and regulatory enforcement is inconsistent, such trust cannot be assumed.
Therefore, financial literacy and economic empowerment must precede large-scale social insurance. Citizens must first understand insurance as an investment in risk mitigation, not as a tax or a burden.
Insurance as a system, not a single policy
The debate should not be limited to social health insurance alone. Insurance is a broad ecosystem that includes public, private, and social mechanisms, each serving distinct purposes. Public insurance provides safety nets for vulnerable populations; private insurance offers customized protection; and social insurance pools risks across society.
For South Sudan, a phased and hybrid approach is more realistic. Informal insurance systems, such as community savings groups, burial societies, and local solidarity networks, already function as grassroots risk-sharing mechanisms. Instead of replacing these, policymakers should modernize and integrate them into the formal financial system. This approach builds trust, improves participation, and aligns with local realities. A strong insurance sector also depends on other factors, such as:
- A vibrant private sector to expand the tax base and employment.
- A reliable banking and financial infrastructure.
- Transparent and accountable public institutions.
- A regulatory authority capable of enforcing standards and protecting consumers.
Without these foundations, social insurance becomes an academic exercise rather than a practical solution.
Living wages are necessary but not sufficient.
Professor Akec correctly links social protection to living wages. Yet salaries alone do not determine economic productivity. Productivity is shaped by broader factors: infrastructure, governance, market stability, education, and the overall business environment. Even if public sector wages were increased, without addressing corruption, inefficiency, and market distortions, the impact would be limited. Sustainable income growth requires job creation in the private sector, improved agricultural productivity, and industrial development. A country cannot end poverty, but it must first reduce it.
Institutional reform must be holistic.
The proposal to improve the management of specific institutions, such as the Juba Teaching Hospital, is commendable. However, public institutions operate as interconnected systems. Weakness in one sector undermines progress in others. Reform must therefore be systemic, not sector-specific. Economic accountability, transparency, and the rule of law are prerequisites for successful social insurance. Citizens will not contribute to a system they do not trust. Trust is built through consistent service delivery, fair governance, and credible leadership.
A Roadmap for the Future
Rather than rejecting the idea of social insurance, South Sudan should treat it as a long-term national goal. The immediate priorities should include:
- Strengthening governance and accountability.
- Expanding financial literacy and inclusion.
- Building a formal and productive private sector.
- Supporting informal insurance and community solidarity systems.
- Improving banking and regulatory institutions.
- Investing in infrastructure and human capital.
Only after these foundations are established can compulsory social insurance become both feasible and sustainable.
Conclusion: Vision without readiness risks failure
Professor Akec’s vision is not wrong; it is simply premature. Social insurance is an essential pillar of modern economies, but it cannot succeed in isolation from broader political and economic reform. In the current context, pushing for compulsory implementation may produce resistance, deepen inequality, and undermine public confidence.
South Sudan must first build the conditions that make such a system viable. When citizens are economically empowered, institutions are accountable, and trust is restored, social insurance will not only be accepted but demanded. Until then, the debate should remain focused on preparing the ground rather than enforcing the policy.
In this way, Professor Akec’s ideas can serve not as immediate prescriptions but as a strategic compass guiding South Sudan toward a more secure and resilient future.
The writer, Juol Nhomngek Daniel, is a lawyer, politician, lecturer, and member of SPLM-IO. He can be reached via email: nhomngekjuol@gmail.com.
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