Sudan

Sudan lies at the crossroads of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, sharing borders with the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan. It has had two of the longest-lasting civil wars on the African continent. South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 which led to economic shocks, including the loss of oil revenues that had accounted for 50% of the Sudan government’s revenue and 95% of exports. This reduced economic growth and led to double-digit consumer price inflation, which, together with increased fuel prices, triggered violent protests in 2013.

Food price hikes and grievances for 30 years of rule led to demonstrations in 2018. These led to removal of then-President Omar Hassan El-Bashir and formation of a Transitional Government in 2019 that carried out economic and social reforms and engaged in peace negotiations with armed groups. The Juba Peace Agreement was signed with nearly all armed opposition groups in October 2020.

Due to the military takeover in 2021, government structures were dissolved and terms of the 2019 constitutional charter suspended. In 2022, the Prime Minister stepped down, and an agreement was signed between the military and political parties in an attempt to relaunch the country’s transition to civilian government and hold elections. A next phase aimed at reaching consensus on issues was deadlocked until April 2023, when conflict resulted between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces.

Escalating conflict since then disrupted lives, damaged infrastructure, strained the economy and transformed into the largest displacement crisis in the world. As of March 16, 2026, 11,642,505 people were forcibly displaced within Sudan or to neighboring countries, 21.2 million people–41% of the population–are facing high levels of food insecurity, and healthcare is severely impacted, with most hospitals out of service. In February 2026, the UN launched a $2.87 billion Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

Read More

Read Less

Sudan’s economy remains under severe strain. The conflict which erupted in April 2023, has devastated the economy, with real GDP contracting by an estimated 29.4% in 2023 and a further 14% in 2024, one of the steepest economic contractions in recent history. This downturn reflects extensive destruction of productive capacity, particularly in services such as healthcare, education, telecommunications, and trade. Agriculture has also been deeply disrupted, as displacement, looting, and shortages of essential inputs have sharply reduced production and strained food supply chains.

A modest recovery is emerging though, with growth estimated to have rebounded by 3.1% in 2025, driven by the exceptionally low base of the previous two years and gradual return of displaced people following the improved security conditions in central and northern states. Government efforts to reestablish institutional presence in key urban centers has supported recovery. Inflation began to decline in April 2025 as economic activity gradually resumed and supply constraints eased. However, it remains elevated, at 68% in December 2024 (y-o-y). Government revenues collapsed from 10% of GDP (2022) to below 5% (2024-25) severely constraining the state's provision of essential services. Extreme poverty is estimated to have significantly increased from 48% (2023) to 59% (2025).

The country’s path to economic recovery hinges on the restoration of peace and stability. Sustainable recovery will require a reform agenda focused on macroeconomic stabilization and targeted investments in productive sectors, alongside the resumption of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative to unlock essential debt relief and create fiscal space. Unlocking the agriculture sector's potential through support for smallholder farmers, infrastructure rebuilding, and value chain development will be essential for both immediate food security and long-term economic stability.

Read More

Read Less

In 2021, in light of the military takeover, the World Bank Group (WBG) triggered Operations Policy 7.30 on Dealing with the De Facto Governments and paused disbursements in all of its existing government-led operations in Sudan and stopped processing any new operations. These measures were adopted in accordance with the WBG Operational Policy 7.30. These policies and procedures determine current and further steps in relation to operations in Sudan.

The WBG is committed to remain engaged in Sudan to address immediate needs and preserve development gains. Currently, focus lies on offering support in line with the World Bank’s 2020 FCV Strategy: staying engaged and preserving institutions and human capital, supporting the most vulnerable population.

The WBG is supporting the Sudanese people in the areas of education, health, social protection, energy, and digital connectivity through key projects:

• Enhancing Community Resilience Project, implemented by UNICEF, WFP, Mercy Corps, and CRS, is delivering essential health, nutrition, education, clean water, and protection services to 413,600 people, including 214,902 women and 39,905 IDPs.
• Primary Education Emergency Support Project is supporting the reopening of schools and learning continuity, providing learning materials and resources for daily operations. The project emphasizes building the capacity of schools and communities to enhance school-based and community-driven management.
• Health Assistance and Response to Emergencies Project is helping restore access to a basic package of health and nutrition services and preserve the main elements of essential public health functions.
• Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy and Digital Access Transformation Project addresses urgent electricity needs and expands access to electricity and digital services to 150,000 people, supports healthcare and education systems, and creates jobs through renewable energy and digital service.

Read More

Read Less

The World Bank Group (WBG) is committed to collaborative partnerships that benefit the people of Sudan and it actively works with development and humanitarian partners, UN agencies, and international bodies to align objectives and effectively utilize resources. The goal is to make a lasting, positive impact on local communities.

In light of the current development in Sudan, the WBG has strengthened its partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance program impact, including UN agencies, bilateral donors, NGOs, Regional Organizations, and the private sector. The WBG’s administrative role in the Sudan Transition and Recovery Support Multi-Donor Trust Fund (STARS MDTF) has been instrumental in fortifying relationships with core bilateral donors including Canada, the European Union, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The Third Party Implementation arrangement has significantly enhanced partnerships with UN agencies and international NGOs in implementing key projects in health, education, social safety net and community resilience. .

In response to the activation of World Bank Operational Policy 7.30 on Dealing with De Facto Governments, the WBG has increasingly channeled its engagement through UN agencies and international NGOs, using third-party implementation to ensure the continued delivery of World Bank-financed projects in Sudan. The WBG has provided direct finance to two International NGOs, Catholic Relief Services and Mercy Corps, to expand provision of basic services and support food security.

List of implementation partners in Sudan:

• Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
• Mercy Corps
• United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)
• World Food Programme (WFP)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Trade and Development Bank (TDB)

Read More

Read Less

The Enhancing Community Resilience Project ($240 million), implemented by UNICEF, WFP, Mercy Corps, and CRS, has assisted 413,600 people, including 214,902 women and 39,905 IDPs, with health, nutrition, education, clean water, and protection services. Rehabilitated water systems are now serving 390,000 people, 150 health centers are equipped with critical supplies, and 30,000 out-of-school children are back to learning. The project is helping farming households recover, with wheat yields among supported farmers increased by 33.3% in the 2024/2025 winter season (double the target), and a digital platform is connecting farmers, processors, and cooperatives for efficient food supply chains.

WASH Services: Distributed 10,500 cartons of purification tablets, 273 drums of chlorine, and 300 drums of polymer. 110,808 people (57,273 women) gained access to safe water through the rehabilitation of key water systems, installation of solar-powered boreholes, and targeted water purification activities.

Health Assistance and Response to Emergencies Project ($82 million), implemented by UNICEF and WHO, supports 420 primary health care facilities and 10 hospitals in 18 states, targeting displaced populations and host communities. Results include: 7,297,452 essential health, nutrition, and population services provided to beneficiaries; 2,701,356 children immunized; 4,771 health workers received training to improve service quality; $6 million in medical and non-medical supplies were delivered.

Primary Education Emergency Support Project ($41.9 million) is strengthening access to primary education and learning continuity. 5,495 out of 7,702 eligible schools have received school grants, reaching 2.4 million students (53% girls).

Emergency Crisis Response Safety Net Project has delivered unconditional cash transfers to 473,973 people and has supported financial inclusion, supporting bank account opening for 32,000 households and piloting account ownership for women.

Read More

Read Less