The Central Bank of Sudan has announced the accreditation of Electronic Banking Services (EBS) as a SWIFT global financial messaging and wire transfer service bureau, marking a significant step toward reintegrating the country’s banking system into the global financial network.
The announcement positions EBS as the first approved SWIFT service bureau in the country and one of only five across the Middle East and Africa to achieve the certification.
According to the Central bank, the accreditation follows successful technical and administrative assessments under the SWIFT Shared Infrastructure Programme, ensuring compliance with international security and operational standards.
The move is expected to enhance the capacity of Sudan’s financial sector to process cross-border transactions, strengthen cybersecurity resilience, and support broader digital transformation efforts across domestic banks.
The Central bank noted that it acquired a strategic stake in EBS earlier in January 2026 as part of efforts to modernize banking infrastructure and improve the stability of financial services.
EBS currently supports 26 local banks and has reportedly processed around 100 million electronic account-to-account transactions between January and May 2026, reflecting growing reliance on digital banking systems. The development comes as Sudan’s financial sector continues to face structural challenges, including limited access to international correspondent banking relationships, residual effects of past sanctions, and disruptions linked to the ongoing civil war.
The conflict has reportedly caused more than $20 billion in asset losses within the banking sector, while non-performing loans and deposit contraction continue to strain financial stability. Analysts cited by Sudanese media describe the accreditation as a strategic milestone that could improve operational efficiency, reduce costs for local banks, and gradually rebuild international investor confidence in the country’s financial architecture.