Crawford Capital and CapitalPay: South Sudan Oil Levy Explained

By Kenya Today Investigations JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN — Fresh government statements, official approvals and financial disclosures have brought new context to the controversy surrounding Crawford Capital and CapitalPay, the technology companies involved in South Sudan's electronic government services and revenue collection systems. The developments provide a fuller picture of the companies' operations following media investigations that raised questions about private-sector involvement in the country's crude oil accreditation programme. At the centre of the controversy is the Electronic Crude Oil Accreditation Permit (ECOAP), a government-administered system requiring traders to obtain electronic accreditation for crude oil shipments. A March 2026 investigation by Radio Tamazuj examined the programme's financial arrangements, including the involvement of Crawford Capital's CapitalPay platform in processing payments associated with oil exports. However, subsequent statements from the South Sudan Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, and Crawford Capital have clarified the official basis for the company's engagement and its stated responsibilities in government digitalisation. South Sudan Government Confirms Crawford Capital's Contractual Mandate In September 2026, South Sudan's Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Ateny Wek Ateny, publicly confirmed that Crawford Capital had been contracted following government deliberations and approval under Council of Ministers Resolution No. 34/2024, adopted on September 14, 2024. According to the minister, the company's mandate covers support for South Sudan's digital transformation programme, including electronic government services and digital revenue-management systems. The statement provides an official explanation of the government's decision to engage Crawford Capital. It also distinguishes the existence of government authorisation from separate questions concerning procurement procedures, contractual terms and the distribution of specific revenue streams. The company's engagement has additionally received public support from the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, which reaffirmed its involvement in government digitalisation in May 2026. Revenue Authority Reports Improvements in Government Collections The South Sudan Revenue Authority has publicly defended its engagement with Crawford Capital, crediting the introduction of structured digital systems with improvements in revenue administration. In May 2026, the authority reported that monthly collections had reached approximately 130 billion South Sudanese pounds. It also reported collecting nearly one trillion South Sudanese pounds over an eight-month period. According to the authority, digital systems have improved transaction monitoring, reconciliation, accountability and enforcement of revenue procedures. The authority specifically recognised Crawford Capital's technical support in implementing the reforms. These figures provide an official measure of the revenue authority's reported performance, although they do not independently establish the precise financial contribution of Crawford Capital or the amount collected through the crude oil accreditation programme. CapitalPay's Role in Electronic Revenue Processing CapitalPay operates as a digital payment interface used in government electronic services. Its involvement in the crude oil accreditation programme has attracted attention because the system processes payments associated with a mandatory government requirement. Under ECOAP, traders are charged a levy calculated against the value of crude oil shipments. Radio Tamazuj reported a rate of 0.03 percent and cited payment records illustrating the amounts charged on individual shipments. The existence of such payments establishes that the platform is involved in an economically significant government programme. However, the technical processing of payments and the legal authority to determine the use of public revenue are distinct functions. In its June 22, 2026 public response, Crawford Capital described itself as a technology and software engineering company operating digital systems under agreements with government institutions. The company stated that it does not determine taxes, allocate public money or exercise statutory government powers. It also maintained that government revenue remains the property of the relevant public institutions. The precise financial arrangements for ECOAP must ultimately be assessed against the programme's contracts, account records and independent reconciliation statements. Crawford Capital Explains Platform Charges and Service Fees Crawford Capital's June statement addressed questions surrounding fees charged through its digital platforms. The company explained that a two-percent platform service fee covers services including infrastructure maintenance, cybersecurity, system upgrades, reconciliation and operational support. It also distinguished government charges from a separate convenience-fee arrangement associated with selected electronic services. According to the company, a reported 75-to-25 revenue-sharing arrangement concerns a $15 convenience fee on certain services, including eVisa processing, rather than a division of government taxes and statutory levies. This distinction is significant when evaluating the financial structure of digital government services. Different payment categories may operate under different contractual arrangements, making it important to identify the specific charge being examined. Crawford Capital further stated that collection and trust accounts used in its systems are subject to banking regulation, reconciliation and oversight. These explanations constitute the company's formal position. Independent financial records remain necessary to establish how the arrangements operate for individual government programmes. September 2026 Government Review Recognises Revenue Collection Progress A more recent development occurred on September 17, 2026, when South Sudan's Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reforms met representatives of Crawford-Capital Pay and the South Sudan Revenue Authority. According to the state broadcaster, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, the committee reviewed the government's cash payment policy and received presentations concerning revenue collection and payment systems. The meeting was chaired by Minister of East African Community Affairs General Pieng Deng Kuol. Committee rapporteur James Mawich Makuach said the presentations had addressed the committee's concerns. The committee commended Crawford-Capital Pay and the Revenue Authority for improvements in revenue collection and encouraged them to sustain the progress. This official review demonstrates that the company's role in government payment systems remained subject to high-level government engagement in September 2026. It also provides a recent institutional assessment of the digital revenue programme's reported operational progress. International Scrutiny and the Need for Financial Transparency Despite the government's support, Crawford Capital continues to face significant international scrutiny. United Nations investigators have raised concerns about the company's political connections, revenue arrangements and role in South Sudan's public financial systems. The United States also announced measures concerning the company in May 2026. These developments form an important part of the public record and cannot be resolved solely through government endorsements or corporate statements. Crawford Capital has rejected accusations of revenue diversion and maintains that its operations are governed by formal agreements and financial controls. A definitive assessment of the crude oil accreditation programme would require disclosure and examination of the relevant contracts, collection accounts, government remittances, service fees and independent audit findings. The Broader Significance of South Sudan's Digital Revenue Reforms South Sudan's experience highlights the complex relationship between public institutions and private technology providers in government financial administration. Digital platforms can support transaction records, electronic payments, reconciliation and reporting. Their effectiveness, however, depends on clear contractual responsibilities, regulatory compliance and independent oversight. The South Sudan Revenue Authority has reported substantial collections and credited digitalisation with improvements in its administrative processes. The government has confirmed Crawford Capital's contractual engagement, while a September 2026 economic reform committee publicly acknowledged progress in revenue collection. These developments provide material context for understanding the company's role and assessing earlier reporting about its activities. At the same time, the central questions concerning the financial distribution of crude oil accreditation fees, procurement compliance and independent accountability require documentary verification. The public record now contains both official support for Crawford Capital's digital government work and serious international scrutiny of its financial arrangements. A complete assessment must consider both, with original contracts and independently verifiable financial records providing the decisive evidence.