Sudan
Sudan, located in northeastern Africa, is rich in natural resources and has a population of around 45 million. The capital, Khartoum, serves as the country’s political and economic hub. Sudan’s economy relies on agriculture, oil, and mining, with key exports including crude oil, gold, sesame, and livestock, while imports focus on food products, machinery, and manufactured goods. Political instability, inflation, and internal conflicts have hindered growth. Recent efforts focus on economic reforms, foreign investment, and financial modernization, leveraging its agricultural land, gold, and oil reserves. Sudan’s strategic location and resource potential support growth in trade, banking, and digital payments.
Top banks
The financial system is largely dominated by state-owned banks, with a growing presence of private banks expanding services. The Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) plays a pivotal role in regulating monetary policy, ensuring financial stability, and supporting the development of Sudan’s banking and financial services. Efforts to modernize the banking sector, promote digital banking, and improve access to financial services are gradually enhancing economic inclusion, making Sudan’s financial system more resilient and aligned with global banking practices.
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Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS)
Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) oversees the country’s monetary policy, banking regulation, and currency stability. As Sudan’s main financial authority, CBOS plays a vital role in economic recovery, financial inclusion, and strengthening the national banking system, ensuring secure and efficient operations across commercial and state-owned banks.
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Bank of Khartoum (BoK)
Bank of Khartoum is one of Sudan’s largest and oldest commercial banks, offering comprehensive personal banking, loans, trade finance, and remittance services. The bank plays a key role in financial inclusion, supports business and individual clients, and contributes to the development of Sudan’s modern banking and digital finance ecosystem.
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Sudanese French Bank (SFB)
Sudanese French Bank is a prominent private bank in Sudan, providing personal banking, corporate finance, and international trade services. Known for navigating Sudan’s complex financial environment, the bank supports secure transactions, digital banking solutions, and contributes to the growth of private sector banking and financial inclusion in the country.
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Agricultural Bank of Sudan (ABS)
Agricultural Bank of Sudan is a key state-owned bank specializing in agricultural financing. It supports farmers and agribusinesses with loans, credit facilities, and payment solutions, driving Sudan’s agricultural development, promoting financial inclusion, and strengthening the country’s economy through targeted rural and sector-specific banking services.
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Sudan Commercial Bank (SCB)
Sudan Commercial Bank is a major state-owned bank offering comprehensive retail and corporate banking services. It provides loans, savings accounts, and foreign exchange solutions, supporting financial inclusion and contributing to Sudan’s economic development and the expansion of secure digital and traditional banking services.
Al Salam Bank Sudan
Al Salam Bank Sudan is a leading private bank offering a wide range of Sharia-compliant banking products and services. Focused on Islamic finance, it provides retail banking, corporate solutions, and investment services, promoting financial inclusion and supporting Sudan’s growing digital and cashless banking ecosystem.
Top payment methods
Sudan’s payment landscape is evolving amid economic challenges and limited financial infrastructure. Cash remains the dominant payment method, particularly in rural areas, while digital payments and mobile banking are gradually growing in urban centers. Mobile money services like Sudani MP and Zain Cash are driving financial inclusion, offering secure, convenient digital payment solutions. Despite obstacles such as high inflation, limited banking access, and underdeveloped financial technology, Sudan is witnessing gradual adoption of mobile payments, online banking, and electronic transactions. The development of digital financial services is crucial for enhancing Sudan’s payment ecosystem, improving accessibility, and supporting economic modernization.
Sudani Mobile Payments
Sudani, one of the leading mobile network providers in Sudan, offers mobile payment services through its platform Sudani Pay. This service allows users to conduct financial transactions using their mobile phones, including money transfers, bill payments, and airtime top-ups. Sudani Pay is widely used in Sudan to bridge the gap between the unbanked population and financial services, providing secure and accessible payment solutions. Users can easily register, link their mobile accounts, and perform transactions via SMS or a mobile app, contributing to the digital financial ecosystem in Sudan.
Zain Mobile Payments
Zain, another major telecommunications company in Sudan, offers mobile payment solutions through Zain Cash. Zain Cash enables users to perform a variety of financial activities such as transferring money, paying bills, and purchasing goods and services. The platform serves both the banked and unbanked population, allowing them to access financial services without needing a traditional bank account. Zain Cash is available via mobile apps and USSD codes, providing convenience for users in remote areas. It plays a vital role in the financial inclusion movement in Sudan, promoting digital payments and economic empowerment.
Concluding remarks
However, Sudan’s challenges with infrastructure, limited internet connectivity, and financial exclusion must be addressed to expand the adoption of digital financial services, mobile payments, and online banking. Despite these obstacles, Sudan has the potential to leverage its natural resources, strengthen economic diversification, and create opportunities for growth in fintech, digital banking, and financial inclusion in the long term. Improving the payment ecosystem and modernizing financial infrastructure will be key to driving economic development and enhancing access to digital financial services across the country.
Cash
Cash is the dominant payment method in Sudan, particularly in rural and informal sectors. Many people in Sudan still rely on cash for everyday transactions, as banking infrastructure is not widespread and many people do not have access to formal banking services.
Bank cards
Bank cards, including debit and credit cards, are becoming more common in Sudan's larger cities like Khartoum. However, the usage of cards remains limited, and their acceptance is not widespread outside urban centers. Most transactions still rely on cash, especially in rural areas.
Mobile payments
Mobile payments are gradually gaining popularity in Sudan, particularly through mobile money services. Some telecommunications companies, like Sudani and Zain, have introduced mobile money services that allow users to send money, pay bills, and make transfers using their mobile phones. However, mobile payment services are still in their early stages, and there are significant barriers to wider adoption, such as limited internet access and infrastructure challenges.
Bank transfers
Bank transfers are used for larger transactions, such as business payments or remittances. However, the country’s banking infrastructure is still developing, and access to banking services is limited, especially outside major cities. International remittances are a key source of income for many Sudanese families, but the country’s economic sanctions and financial restrictions can make these transfers more expensive and difficult to process.
Cryptocurrency
The use of cryptocurrency is not widespread in Sudan, but interest in digital currencies has been growing, especially among younger generations. Cryptocurrencies are seen by some as an alternative to the heavily devalued Sudanese pound and as a way to bypass international sanctions. However, the lack of regulation and the unstable political and economic environment make it difficult for cryptocurrencies to be widely adopted.
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