Dembesh Hotel relaunch highlights South Sudan’s resilience

The reopening of Dembesh Hotel in Juba offers a rare piece of good news for South Sudan’s private sector.

In a country still grappling with conflict, food insecurity and regulatory uncertainty, the return of one of the capital’s oldest hotels signals cautious business confidence. 

For years, investors have viewed South Sudan as a high-risk frontier market with limited infrastructure and uneven policy enforcement.

Yet demand for quality accommodation in Juba has remained steady, driven by development agencies, humanitarian groups and regional businesses operating in the oil-producing nation. 

Against this backdrop, the hotel’s renovation reflects a broader push to strengthen the hospitality sector, which plays a quiet but critical role in fragile economies.

Tourism and related services support jobs, attract foreign exchange and help widen the tax base.

Globally, the sector accounts for about one in 10 jobs, and in post-conflict settings it can help anchor local enterprise. 

The upgrade was financed in 2022 by the International Finance Corporation, its first investment in South Sudan in more than a decade.

The funding supported the hotel’s refurbishment and expansion to meet rising demand for reliable, professionally managed accommodation in the capital.

Jobs and skills at the center 

Since construction began, the project has created more than 450 jobs — roughly 300 during the building phase and 150 permanent positions in hotel operations.

More than 90% of employees are South Sudanese. 

Staff have received practical training in customer service, food and beverage operations, housekeeping and maintenance.

Managers say the goal is to equip workers with skills that can support long-term careers, not only within the hotel but across the wider service economy. 

Women hold roles across front office, housekeeping, food service and supervision.

Targeted on-the-job training has helped many step into positions with greater responsibility.

More than a place to stay 

In security-sensitive environments, dependable hotels serve as essential infrastructure.

They provide a secure base for aid workers, investors and business travelers, enabling meetings, projects and partnerships to move forward. 

By improving standards and expanding capacity in Juba, Dembesh Hotel strengthens the city’s business environment at a time when South Sudan is seeking to rebuild its economy.

Its reopening stands as a practical example of how private investment can support jobs, skills development and steady, long-term growth.