New Book Documents the Evolution of Sudan’s Public Sector and Offers Insights for Reform and Recons

09:22 PM April, 25 2026

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A new book titled “Public Sector in the Sudan” by Abdelmoneim Khalifa Khogaly has been published in London, offering a comprehensive and analytical account of the development of Sudan’s public sector and its role in economic and social transformation.

The book is based on an original academic study undertaken by the author during his postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. It has been revived, adapted, and updated to reflect the profound economic, political, and social changes that have taken place globally—and in Sudan—over recent decades.

This publication comes at a particularly critical time, as Sudan faces significant post-conflict challenges. The public sector is widely expected to play a central role in reconstruction efforts, institutional rebuilding, and the restoration of economic stability.

The book raises fundamental questions about the efficiency and developmental role of the public sector—issues that remain central to contemporary economic debates at both national and international levels.

It provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of Sudan’s public sector within its broader economic and institutional context, tracing its historical trajectory from the colonial period through independence, and into the major transformations that followed the nationalization policies of the 1970s.

The study also explores the relationship between economic policy and institutional choices, highlighting how historical factors—such as land ownership patterns and legislative frameworks—shaped the structure of the public sector. It further examines the role of major agricultural schemes, including the Gezira Project, which has long been a cornerstone of Sudan’s economy.

A key issue highlighted in the book is the lack of clearly defined and consistent objectives within public enterprises, leading to inefficiencies, overlapping mandates, and weak operational performance.

The author also addresses shortcomings in project appraisal and decision-making processes, emphasizing that reliance on commercial profitability alone is insufficient. Instead, broader economic and social considerations—such as employment generation, regional balance, and social stability—must be incorporated into performance evaluation.

In addition, the book offers an analytical perspective on the ideological and policy foundations that drove the expansion of the public sector, particularly the influence of socialist-oriented policies and the nationalization measures of 1970. It examines the impact of these policies on economic structures, state-private sector relations, and socio-economic dynamics.

Beyond historical analysis, the book addresses key administrative and institutional challenges affecting public sector performance, including limited managerial capacity, complex decision-making structures, and overlapping institutional roles.

It underscores the importance of strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing accountability and transparency, and building robust institutional capacities as essential components of public sector reform.

The book concludes with a set of practical recommendations for policymakers and development practitioners, including:

• Clarifying and redefining public sector objectives
• Developing comprehensive performance evaluation frameworks
• Strengthening institutional and managerial capacity
• Balancing autonomy and oversight in public enterprise management
This work aims to contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussions on public sector reform in Sudan and to support efforts toward building a more efficient and sustainable national economy.

“Public Sector in the Sudan” is authored by Abdelmoneim Khalifa Khogaly and published by Zaraf Publishing in London in April 2026. This updated edition is rooted in an original academic study dating back to 1972. The book is available for purchase on Amazon and other major platforms.

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