Media reports suggest South Sudan 5,000 and 10,000 SSP notes are on the way. Official confirmation? Not yet. But the logic is brutally clear: inflation demands more zeros.
According to MRI Guide, citing regional outlets, the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) is preparing to print 5,000 and 10,000 SSP notes. No official communiqué has been published by the BoSS. The move, if true, would mark the first leap beyond the 1,000 SSP note introduced in 2021.
Background South Sudan
Launched in 2011 with the hope of embodying a new nation’s independence, the South Sudanese pound (SSP) has since suffered a spectacular fall. Inflation has eroded its value so badly that the 1,000 SSP note — once a giant leap — is now worth little more than pocket change. In markets across Juba, bundles of notes buy everyday essentials, forcing citizens to lug stacks of paper for even modest purchases.
That’s why regional media reports of larger denominations — 5,000 and 10,000 SSP — feel inevitable. Cash is still king in South Sudan, and when a note’s value collapses, the only short-term fix is to print bigger numbers. It’s a familiar playbook: think Zimbabwe dollars, Venezuelan bolívars, or even Yugoslavia’s hyperinflation era.
Denominations & pending details
Here’s what has been reported so far. Treat this as pending confirmation until the Bank of South Sudan issues an official statement:
Spec Sheet (media reports)
- Current highest note
- 1,000 SSP (since 2021)
- Planned new notes
- 5,000 SSP (rumored), 10,000 SSP (rumored)
- Status
- Unconfirmed by BoSS — based on media reports
- Reason
- Inflation makes 1,000 SSP impractical for daily use
- Design & security
- Not yet announced
- Release date
- Pending official confirmation
Collector’s angle: If confirmed, these would be South Sudan’s first notes beyond 1,000 SSP. They’d join the infamous club of hyperinflation banknotes — often derided in economics, but coveted in numismatics.
Quick Answers
What is South Sudan’s current highest denomination?
Which new notes are expected?
Why issue higher denominations?
When will they circulate?
Will older notes remain valid?
Highlights Facts • Collector Tips • Did You Know?
Facts
- South Sudan’s pound introduced in 2011.
- 1,000 SSP is the current highest note (since 2021).
- Reports suggest 5,000 and 10,000 SSP may be printed.
Collector Tips
- Wait for official confirmation before buying “specimens” — fakes may circulate early.
- If issued, secure UNC examples quickly; inflation notes often disappear from circulation fast.
- Pair with other hyperinflation notes (Zimbabwe, Venezuela) for thematic collections.
Did You Know?
- Policy briefs in Juba have suggested denominations up to 50,000 SSP.
- Cash dominates South Sudan’s economy; electronic payments remain rare.
- Inflation has eroded more than 90% of SSP’s value since 2015.
