The Central Equatoria State government is buying dollars on the black market because it is unable to access enough hard currency through official banks.

Central Equatoria Finance Minister Juma David Augustine said the state buys foreign exchange in the streets at a rate of 7.4 SSP to the dollar instead of the official rate of 3.16, Radio Easter reported.

Describing the situation as "unacceptable," the minister wondered why there are no dollars in banks yet the streets are flooded with dollars.

Juma demanded the National Finance Ministry and Central Bank to regulate the usage of foreign currency in South Sudan.

Meanwhile, informal money changers were buying dollars at a rate of 7.8 SSP to the dollar in Juba as of Saturday.

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