SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Sudanese minister defends 500% increase in power fees

7/1/2021: Radio Dabanga - Sudanese minister defends 500% increase in power fees

 Radio Dabanga report that Sudan’s Minister of Energy and Mining Khairy Abdelrahman defended the 500% increase in electricity tariffs on the basis of the state’s need to cover the deficit in finances concerning electricity provision.

 Abdelrahman explained that the deficit now amounts to roughly 60% of the budget due to soaring annual inflation and the “enormous” government employee salaries in 2020. He added that the tariffs increase has been imposed “in a balanced way” and will not affect “the simple consumer, farming areas, and the pharmaceutical industry”.

 Roughly 70% of the provided electricity is subsidised, which should cover an estimated 40% of the consumers in Sudan, Abdelrahman said.