Landscape analysis
The South Sudan technological landscape is marred by the reduced investment in communication technology caused by the ensuing conflict and violence in the country. However, despite the challenges, there has been remarkable growth in the use of technology and a fast-growing mobile phone penetration. In 2013, only 3 percent of South Sudanese had access to the Internet, while in 2018, this number had tripled to about 9 percent, despite the outbreak of civil war and the economic turmoil. The rising popularity of Internet has been overshadowed by the limited Internet resources and access for a majority of South Sudanese, which has hindered technological innovation in the country. Lack of ICTs penetration, of fundamental infrastructure and of human and technical capacity have hindered innovative ways to use of social media technology and its development.
In 2015, the first Information Communication Technology for Development Conference (ICT4D) took place in Juba. The forum brought key technological investors and policy makers together and promised to embark on plans of investment that would spur technological and innovation solution. Following the forum, a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center was opened at the University of Juba, hoping it would enable to provide technical skills for the development and innovation of technology. The centres also promise to use ICTs in promoting gender equality in the country.