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Events

NCA ADVANCES WARNING DISSEMINATION UNDER EW4ALL IN SOUTH SUDAN.

May 4, 2026 at 8:52:41 AM

Participants engage in a collaborative session during the EW4ALL group discussion, focusing on improving early warning systems for enhanced communication and preparedness. The Early Warning for All-EW4ALL initiative led by the International Telecommunication Union-ITU is a global effort to ensure that every person is protected by timely and effective early warning systems. In a country like South Sudan where most communities are increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts and other hazards, access to timely information can mean the difference between safety and disaster. As the focal point for Pillar 3: Warning Dissemination and Communication, the National Communication Authority-NCA plays a central role in ensuring that early warnings are not only generated but effectively delivered to the people who need them most. To solidify this roadmap, NCA recently held a national consultative workshop bringing together various partners and stakeholders to have an in-depth discussion addressing the technical and logistical ways of reaching the population. This collaborative forum ensured that the strategies for Pillar 3 are grounded in the collective expertise of all involved partners. At the core of Pillar 3 is the use of modern communication technologies to deliver alerts quickly and reliably. Mobile networks are being strengthened to act as lifelines during emergencies with tools such as Cell Broadcast and SMS to send alerts directly to individuals even during times of network congestion. These systems are reinforced through a multi-channel communication approach that combines radio, television, social media and community-based platforms to maximize reach and reliability. In addition, the adoption of the Common Alerting Protocol-CAP enables standardized alerts to be disseminated simultaneously across different platforms ensuring consistency, clarity and trust in critical moments. However, effective warning dissemination goes beyond simply sending alerts. This pillar also places strong emphasis on last-mile connectivity which ensures that warnings are not only received but also understood and acted upon by all communities especially those in remote and underserved areas. This includes translating messages into local languages to enable accessibility for persons with disabilities and integrating traditional communication methods with modern systems. By combining innovation with inclusivity, South Sudan is working to ensure that no one is left behind when disaster risks arise. Equally important is the need for two-way communication and continuous improvement. Early warning systems must not only inform but also listen. Through feedback mechanisms such as community engagement platforms and satisfaction surveys, authorities can assess whether warnings are timely, relevant and effective. This feedback loop is essential for building trust and refining communication strategies over time. Strategic investments are already underway to support this vision as the national roadmap outlines a comprehensive plan to equip Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) across the country with modern technology including sophisticated computers, communication tools and skilled personnel. This includes a projected $2.8 million investment to strengthen EOC capacity at the state and county levels, alongside the establishment of an Authorized Alerting Team to coordinate timely warnings across all relevant responders. Through the leadership of the National Communication Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services (MICTPS) and the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission-RRC, South Sudan is steadily advancing toward a future where timely information bridges the gap between hazards and a safe, prepared population.

NCA Strengthens Regional Partnerships and Data Governance at Africa Tech Festival 2025

  • Writer: NCA Communications
    NCA Communications
  • Nov 11, 2025
  • 2 min read

NCA delegation during the Africa Tech engagement
NCA delegation led by the Director of Research and Planning, Eng. Chol Joseph Mayen, during the Africa Tech engagement.

A delegation led by the Director of Research and Planning, Eng Chol Joseph Mayen, participated in the highly anticipated Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town on November 11th - 13th 2025.


The festival under the theme "Responsible Innovation, Inclusive Investment, Connectivity for Development and Policy Harmonization,” attracted more than 15,000 attendees from 130 countries. Technology corporations, policymakers and AI start-ups all played a key role on this platform, bridging African markets with international partners and exploring solutions driving the continent’s digital transformation.


Through various engagements with potential partners, NCA centered discussions on 

affordable, high-quality fiber optic infrastructure for underserved areas and took part in thought-provoking conversations on data protection mechanisms. The primary focus was to deepen regional regulatory collaborations and draw strategic insights to inform future policies.

 

A key theme throughout the Tech festival was the urgency of strengthening data protection frameworks, which served as foundational guardrails to secure cross-border collaboration. As Africa witnesses rapid technological advancement, the need to safeguard personal data and ensure responsible data flows has become paramount. For South Sudan, the enactment of a comprehensive data protection framework remains a national priority, opening pathways for innovation and regional integration.


NCA’s Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, Eng. Unguec Stephen is a member of the East African Community (EAC) Technical Working Group on Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data protection. He took part in a high-level panel titled: “Staying Ahead of 

Cloud Compliance, Managing Data Sovereignty and Cross-Border Risks”. The panel featured technical experts from the banking, telecom and health sectors exploring the growing volume of personal data handled by institutions across the continent.


During the session, Eng. Stephen underscored the importance of data harmonization across Africa. He highlighted how countries with limited critical infrastructure or connectivity gaps can leverage innovative solutions such as data embassies. “Countries can store their data abroad without compromising sovereignty” he explained. “By applying strong data protection frameworks, they can ensure their digital assets remain secure, protected and governed by their own laws.”


He further emphasized on achieving long-term data harmonization through the existing economic blocs, i.e. East Africa Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) calling for a multi-stakeholder approach.

“We need to embark on public, private legislation-led drafting that encourages the private sector and other stakeholders to be involved to promote inclusivity and innovation when drafting the data framework bill.”

 

Challenges still remain with countries adopting different data laws and privacy policies often creating legal obstacles. Poor data quality undermines trust and diminishes the value of harmonization datasets. The conversations allowed Africa to have a discourse and providesolutions to mitigate these problems and forge a way forward.

 

Through active participation, the NCA continues to position South Sudan within Africa’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, strengthening partnerships and ensuring the country remains engaged in shaping the future of ICT, cybersecurity and data governance.

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