The armed conflict between the Sudanese army forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has destroyed about 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, witnessed the most significant cases of looting and destruction during the armed conflict, with 17 factories in various industrial, food, and pharmaceutical fields robbed. Some of them were burned entirely, according to preliminary statistics.
According to reports, thugs looted more than 36 warehouses, shops, companies, groceries, and pharmacies and over 54 branches of several major banks in Khartoum.
Also, over ten central markets in Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdurman were looted.
Sudanese economist Mohammed al-Nayer indicated that the industrial sector represents about 20 percent of the GDP, meaning it has significant impact on economic activity in the country.
Nayer said Sudan had recorded negative growth since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
The GDP was supposed to recover in 2023, but the recent war has negatively impacted the vital industrial sector, he went on to say.
The industrial sector has been significantly damaged in the current armed conflict, he remarked, revealing that several factories were burned down and other infrastructure was systematically destroyed.
It would be difficult to determine the losses precisely, but it is undoubtedly worth billions of dollars, he stated.
The industries most affected by the armed conflict are food and pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and other strategic sectors, said Nayer. The country needs new contracts to restore the sector.
He stressed that it is difficult for the sector to recover soon, noting that it may gradually happen in 2024 or 2025, adding that this would depend on the state that must find mechanisms to compensate all those affected by the recent war.
If the state plays its full role, this will reduce the time the industrial sector needs to recover fully, said Nayer.
He noted that the government must take several measures that could help the industrial sector, such as customs and tax exemptions and other policies that can help rebuild the sector.
