Khartoum (Diplomat.so) - Sudanese Prime Minister Prof. Kamil Idris announced Tuesday, August 18, a package of measures in Khartoum aimed at easing living costs and encouraging citizens' voluntary return.
The measures include exempting residential consumers across Sudan from water fees through the end of 2026, alongside directives to improve water supplies and establish additional water stations. Idris announced the decisions in press remarks following an expanded government meeting in the capital.
The prime minister also announced that imported solar-energy systems intended for personal use would be exempt from customs duties, taxes and other government charges. The measure is intended to reduce the cost of household energy equipment as authorities seek to improve access to essential services.
Idris directed the ministries of finance and human resources and social welfare, together with the Central Bank of Sudan, to facilitate concessional financing for citizens seeking solar-energy systems for personal use.
"All citizens in the country” will be exempted from residential water fees until the end of 2026, Idris said in announcing the package. He also instructed relevant authorities to improve water supplies and add new stations, according to the measures presented after Tuesday’s meeting.
The government further ordered the activation and regulation of discounted sales centers and markets across Sudan as part of efforts to reduce household expenses. Regional governors, state governors and relevant agencies were instructed to coordinate implementation.
The meeting brought together senior officials responsible for sectors directly connected to the measures, including industry and trade, energy, minerals, finance and monetary policy. Among those attending were Minister of State for Finance Mohammed Nour Abdel Daim, Cabinet Secretary-General Ali Mohammed and First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan Al-Mutasim Abdullah Ahmed.
Deputy Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Ambassador Muawiya Osman Khalid and Culture, Information and Tourism Undersecretary Dr. Graham Abdel Qadir also attended, underscoring the cross-government scope of the directives.
The package comes as Sudanese authorities seek to restore basic services and encourage the voluntary return of citizens following extensive disruption caused by the country’s conflict. Reliable water and electricity supplies remain important considerations for families assessing whether conditions permit their return.
Diplomat News Network could not independently establish Tuesday how much revenue the water-fee exemption would forgo, how many households would benefit, or when the additional water stations would become operational. No implementation timetable or financing figures for the solar-energy program were included in the information released.
