Sudan Industrial Recovery Stalls as Only 10% of Factories Resume Operations

Khartoum, April 26, 2026 - Sudan’s industrial recovery remains severely constrained, with only about 10% of factories back in operation three years after the outbreak of conflict, according to industry officials. A senior figure within the Industrial Chambers Union said the slow pace of recovery reflects deep structural challenges, despite isolated signs of resilience within the sector. He noted that his steel manufacturing plant recently resumed production with an initial monthly capacity of 7,000 tonnes, with plans to gradually increase output to 12,000 tonnes. However, he warned that broader industrial activity continues to face significant obstacles. Key challenges include complex import procedures for spare parts, difficulties obtaining certificates of origin, high storage costs at ports, and ongoing shortages of raw materials. Regulatory requirements linked to import documentation have also been cited as a major bottleneck. Some factories have reportedly taken more than 300 days to resume operations, far exceeding initial projections of around 50 days, due to extensive war-related damage and logistical constraints in sourcing equipment and conducting repairs. Industry representatives are calling on authorities, including the central bank, to introduce exemptions and facilitate access to essential inputs in order to accelerate recovery and stabilize production. Official data indicate that approximately 1,800 industrial facilities have been impacted by the conflict, including around 650 that were completely destroyed. Estimates suggest total losses in the industrial sector range between $50 billion and $58 billion, underscoring the scale of the economic damage.