U.S. businesses should be aware that investors could face difficulties in transferring money to and from Sudan as international financial entities continue to exercise caution in processing transactions. 

Sudan did not have access to international banking institutions for over twenty years as it was under comprehensive U.S. economic and financial sanctions until 2017.  Despite lifting these sanction and Sudan’s delisting as a state sponsor of terrorism in 2020, international banks have remained wary of operating in Sudan.  Most foreign banks operating in Sudan are based in Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, or Qatar.  The Central Bank of Sudan lists banks operating in Sudan at: https://cbos.gov.sd/en/content/operating-banks-sudan 

Sales Service/Customer Support

Customer service levels are poor in comparison to international standards. 

Local Professional Services

These organizations provide information to local business, but generally lack capacity and have very limited influence on the shaping of government regulations.

• The U.S.-Sudan Business Council is a small business association composed of senior business leaders;
• The Sudanese Business Club supports small to medium-sized (SME) businesses: www.sbc-sd.com;
• Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Association: https://sudabiz.org/;
• National Chamber of Importers

Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services

Despite the legal protections guaranteed under the National Investment Encouragement Act of 2013, there are foreign investment restrictions in the transportation sector, especially in railway, freight transportation, inland waterways, barge service, and airport operations.  Most telecommunications and media, including television broadcasting and newspaper publishing, are closed to foreign-capital participation.  Foreign ownership is also restricted in the electrical power generation and financial services sectors.  In addition to those overt statutory ownership restrictions, a comparatively large number of sectors are dominated by government monopolies, including those mentioned above.  Such monopolies, together with a high perceived difficulty of obtaining required operating licenses, make it more difficult for foreign companies to invest.