{"id":61205,"date":"2026-03-20T22:18:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/?p=61205"},"modified":"2026-03-20T22:18:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:18:46","slug":"in-times-of-challenge-opportunities-are-forged-the-economy-in-motion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/20\/in-times-of-challenge-opportunities-are-forged-the-economy-in-motion\/","title":{"rendered":"In Times of Challenge, Opportunities Are Forged\u2026 The Economy in Motion"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I See It<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Adel El-Baz<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Al-Bereir Deal<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The deal between Savola Group and Mamoun Al-Bereir Group has dominated conversations in Khartoum and Cairo, drawing particular attention from business leaders, alongside extensive coverage across media outlets, newspapers, and digital platforms.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When we exclusively broke the news of the deal in Al-Ahdath<\/em> newspaper, we did not anticipate this level of buzz. Yet it exceeded expectations\u2014far beyond what we had imagined. Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\/ Timing of the Deal\u2026 Breaking the Barrier of Fear<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The deal came at a time when the country is emerging from war, still tending to its wounds. It was widely assumed that the most the industrial private sector could do was to rehabilitate what remained of looted factories.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, Mamoun Al-Bereir Group leapt straight into the future, acquiring a ready-made factory that had not suffered significant damage, with plans to resume production within just two months.<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to estimates, the factory is capable of covering around 80% of Sudan\u2019s market demand. This means the investment is not merely a gamble, but a high-yield project with the potential to recover its costs within a short timeframe.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is not just a deal\u2014it is a practical declaration that the economy can begin to recover even before the war has fully ended.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That said, the greatest challenge remains ensuring continuity of production amid ongoing security and logistical constraints. The success of this deal will depend on cooperation between the private sector and government entities to provide a stable operating environment, paving the way for larger investments in other food sectors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2\/ Restoring Confidence\u2026 The Message the Market Understood<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The deal has prompted hesitant business leaders to reassess their calculations. Many have begun to realize that opportunities arising in moments of major transition do not repeat themselves, and that investing at this stage may be less costly and more rewarding than waiting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The message received by the market is clear: there are companies injecting hundreds of millions of dollars, building for the future rather than yielding to fear. This alone is sufficient to restore confidence within the economy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3\/ A Message Abroad\u2026 Investment Is Not a Gamble<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The most important message was not directed inward, but outward\u2014to foreign investors who view Sudan as a promising market but remain cautious due to concerns over stability.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This deal sends a clear signal: investments of this scale are not reckless ventures, but rather smart positioning within an environment that is taking shape and will become more stable over time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMeyas Sand\u201d\u2026 Sudan Returns to the Mining Map<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Another significant deal that captured public attention this week is the sale of the Meyas Sand gold project, reflecting ongoing shifts in the global investment landscape in the mining sector.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On March 16, 2026, Australia\u2019s Perseus Mining Limited announced the signing of an agreement to sell its 70% stake in the project to Hong Kong Matrix Golden Fortune Mining Limited\u2014an affiliate of China\u2019s Matrix Resources (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.\u2014for $260 million in cash. The deal includes an initial payment of $10 million received upon signing, with the remaining $250 million due upon completion, scheduled for April 22, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This transaction confirms that global companies\u2014particularly Asian firms\u2014are beginning to return to Sudan despite the challenges, and that the mining sector remains one of the economy\u2019s most vital drivers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Notably, the Ministry of Minerals and the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company have been making visible efforts to streamline procedures and attract investors. One investor noted at an economic conference in London that he was able to complete all formalities within just two weeks, without complications.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is now required is a shift from opportunity to structured promotion: preparing professional studies for mining blocks and leading targeted investment campaigns toward Asia, where companies\u2014especially Chinese firms\u2014appear more willing to operate in complex environments.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3.<\/strong><\/p>\n

USSD\u2026 A Transformation Long Overdue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week witnessed a pivotal step with the launch of banking services via USSD technology, coordinated between the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Central Bank of Sudan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At first glance, this may seem like a technical development, but in reality, it represents a profound economic transformation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is USSD?<\/span><\/strong>
\nIt is a technology that enables financial transactions via basic mobile phones without the need for internet access, making it highly suitable for a society where smartphone penetration remains limited.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While I welcome this step, I cannot hide a sense of regret. This idea had been on the table for more than a decade and could have transformed Sudan\u2019s economic landscape much earlier, were it not for conflict and bureaucratic obstacles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kenya\u2019s M-Pesa experience offers a clear lesson:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n