Sudan’s Digital Transformation: A National Project to Build the Modern State

By: Eltayeb Elgaali Eltayeb
IT and Digital Transformation Consultant

In an era where the strength of nations is measured not by the size of their budgets or workforces, but by their agility and responsiveness, digital transformation emerges as a critical enabler of governance. For countries like Sudan, this is not a luxury, but an opportunity—perhaps a rare one—to rebuild its state institutions on the foundations of transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

As the country looks ahead, digital transformation offers a path not only to modernize public services but to redefine how the state interacts with its citizens.

*Turning a Clean Slate into an Advantage*

Unlike countries burdened with legacy systems and entrenched bureaucracy, Sudan’s current administrative gaps present a unique chance to adopt cutting-edge digital solutions from the ground up. Similar to Rwanda’s leap into digital governance post-conflict, Sudan too can bypass outdated systems and build a smart, integrated state.

African neighbors like Ghana and Kenya have leveraged digital tools to promote financial inclusion and streamline services.
Sudan has the potential to do the same—if not lead.

Imagine a small-scale farmer in Gezira, Sennar, or Alnohoud, accessing agricultural support, tracking crop status, and receiving payments—all via a mobile application, without intermediaries or delays. This is not a luxury—it’s the promise of digital efficiency.

*Supporting Sudan’s “Marshall Plan”*

When Dr. Kamal Idris proposed his reconstruction vision, commonly referred to as the Sudan Marshall Plan, he outlined four key pillars: peace, production, sovereignty, and social justice. Although digital transformation was not listed explicitly, the plan’s success is deeply tied to digital infrastructure.

Peace is reinforced through transparent, inclusive service delivery. Production is boosted by smart resource tracking. Sovereignty is incomplete without national data control. Social justice depends on fair and efficient access to services. Digital transformation is therefore not a substitute for the plan—but its foundational driver.

*Institutional Integration Over Fragmented Efforts*

Real transformation requires more than launching individual apps or digitizing isolated services. Sudan must adopt a unified digital infrastructure that simplifies public interactions—from paying taxes and tracking subsidies to accessing insurance records—through a single, transparent platform.

Such integration improves operational performance, enhances fiscal oversight, and supports data-driven decision-making. Digital governance is not a technical trend—it’s a modern leadership model.

*Digital Sovereignty Begins with Data Control*

National sovereignty today extends to cyberspace. No country can claim independence if its data is stored on foreign servers or managed externally. Sudan must invest in a national data center, enact privacy legislation, and build cybersecurity capacity to defend its digital territory.

As cyber threats grow globally, protecting digital infrastructure is as vital as securing borders.

*Empowering Sudanese Youth as Digital Builders*

Sudan’s youth possess immense digital potential, yet many lack avenues for engagement. Beyond training, they must be invited to co-create solutions. Instead of importing technologies, the government should empower local developers and entrepreneurs to design homegrown platforms tailored to Sudanese needs.

From land registry apps to welfare tracking and smart agriculture tools, youth-led innovation can both solve real problems and foster national tech sovereignty.

*Digital Transformation: An Economic Imperative*

According to the World Bank (2022), developing countries lose up to 30% of potential revenue due to poor digital infrastructure in public finance. For Sudan, where financial challenges are acute, digitalization isn’t an option—it’s a necessity.

McKinsey & Company reports that digital transformation can improve government productivity by 15% to 45%. This means public institutions could complete in one week what previously took a month—reducing waste and improving accuracy.

*A New Social Contract Through Technology*

Digital transformation is not just about speed—it’s about rebuilding trust between the citizen and the state. Citizens deserve services that are fast, fair, and transparent—without bureaucracy, favoritism, or long queues.

A citizen-centric government doesn’t ask “who sent you?”—it delivers based on rights, not connections. That’s the foundation of a modern, service-oriented state.

*Conclusion*

Sudan’s digital transformation is not a ministry’s project—it is a nation-building initiative. It is the cornerstone of a productive, sovereign, and just state.

This is a historic opportunity. If we act now, technology can become the engine of Sudan’s renewal. If we delay, we risk becoming passive consumers of systems shaped by others.

Will Sudan shape its digital future—or be shaped by it?