Sudan industrial body urges austerity and reallocation of RSF assets
April 20, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Secretary-General of the Federation of Sudanese Industries, Abbas Ali al-Sayyid, called on Monday for a strict government austerity programme and the reallocation of assets seized from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to support productive sectors.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune, al-Sayyid said the country’s exceptional circumstances require a two- to three-year austerity plan. This would include slashing public spending and ending “prestige spending,” such as luxury government vehicles and high-cost dollar leases for inactive foreign missions.
He urged the government to seize RSF assets and property within Sudan, as well as pursue looted funds abroad, to finance industrial development. Before the war, the RSF controlled significant real estate and financial institutions, including the Animal Resources Bank and Gulf Bank.
Al-Sayyid highlighted the severe impact of the conflict on the industrial sector, noting that 70% of operations have ceased. Approximately 3,493 industrial facilities have been affected, with over 1,800 suffering major losses and dozens completely destroyed.
To spur recovery, he proposed long-term tax exemptions and concessional financing for factories. He also recommended establishing a national reconstruction fund financed by confiscated RSF assets and anti-smuggling revenues to rehabilitate production lines.
Addressing the trade imbalance, al-Sayyid noted that Central Bank data for 2025 showed a trade deficit of $3.86 billion, with exports of $2.64 billion and imports of $6.49 billion. He argued that shifting from raw material exports to value-added manufacturing in food, oils, and meat is essential to boosting foreign currency reserves.
The industrial chief also called for a strong, independent anti-corruption body and tax reforms to include the informal economy. He suggested directing daytime electricity to factories while expanding solar energy for residential use to ease the burden on the national grid.