History of the South Sudan Pound (SSP)
Before Independence
Before South Sudan’s independence, the region used the Sudanese Pound (SDG), issued by the Central Bank of Sudan. Following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005, the Sudanese Pound became the legal currency used throughout Sudan, including Southern Sudan.
After Independence (2011)
Following South Sudan’s independence on 9 July 2011, the Bank of South Sudan introduced the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) on 18 July 2011, replacing the Sudanese Pound. The new currency marked South Sudan’s monetary independence and became the country’s official legal tender.
After the Amendment of the Bank of South Sudan Act (2023)
In 2023, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly passed the Bank of South Sudan (Amendment) Act, 2023, which was subsequently assented to law by President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The amendment officially changed the name of the national currency from the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) to the South Sudan Pound (SSP). Following this legal change, the Bank of South Sudan began issuing banknotes bearing the new currency name in 2024, while retaining the same denominations and core security features. The amendment reinforced South Sudan’s national identity and aligned the currency with the country’s legal framework.
1 SSP
The 1 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly green. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts a giraffe and an acacia tree, symbolizing the country’s rich wildlife and natural heritage.
5 SSP
The 5 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly light red, orange, and brown. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts Sanga cattle, symbolizing the country’s rich cultural heritage, pastoral traditions, and the importance of livestock to the national economy.
10 SSP
The 10 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly green with yellow and olive-green tones. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts an African buffalo with its calf and a pineapple, symbolizing South Sudan’s rich wildlife, agricultural potential, and natural heritage.
25 SSP
The 25 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly orange, red, and brown. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts two oryx antelopes and an oil derrick, symbolizing South Sudan’s rich wildlife and petroleum resources.
50 SSP
The 50 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly red and pink. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts the White-eared Kob antelope and a traditional fishing scene, symbolizing South Sudan’s rich wildlife, cultural heritage, and the importance of fisheries to local livelihoods.
100 SSP
The 100 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly blue with light blue and turquoise tones. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts a lion and a waterfall, symbolizing the country’s rich wildlife and natural beauty.
500 SSP
The 500 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly brown, olive green, and purple. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts the River Nile, symbolizing the country’s natural heritage, economic lifeline, and the vital role of the Nile in supporting livelihoods and sustainable development.
1,000 SSP
The 1,000 South Sudan Pound (SSP) banknote is predominantly maroon, violet, and blue. The front features the portrait of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of South Sudan. The reverse depicts two ostriches, symbolizing South Sudan’s rich wildlife, biodiversity, and natural heritage. The banknote also incorporates advanced security features to enhance protection against counterfeiting.