The 2023 conflict in Sudan has led to the damage and destruction of the banking infrastructure in Khartoum, the epicentre of fighting and where banking operators are mainly based. 

This has significantly affected cash access across the country, even in areas that currently do not have active conflict. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have particularly targeted banks across the country to curtail cash access by either party.

Although the online apps of major banking services, such as Bankak (the Bank of Khartoum or BoK app), resumed working in May, the provision of services remains limited and intermittent because of a lack of capacity and resources, as well as disruptions in electricity and network connections (AllAfrica 10/05/2023). Online apps, such as Cashi, KhartouMap, and Nidaa, which allow for the person-to-person (P2P) transfer of money outside the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) ecosystem, are also providing cash transfer services to a limited extent (Rest of World 15/06/2023). Banks have also limited operation hours to control crowding and manage their limited capacity, affecting people’s access to cash in a time of uncertainty. Many of the people who fled the conflict in Khartoum left with only the cash they had on hand. Combined with a shortage of supplies and inflation because of conflict-induced disruptions, the lack of cash has affected people’s access to food and other basic services to varying degrees across the country, particularly in conflict zones such as Khartoum.

About this report

Aim: the report aims to provide an overview of the key challenges affecting cash liquidity in Sudan, as well as the impact the lack of cash has had on affected people and humanitarian operations.

Methodology: the report is based on secondary data review, non-public sources, and key informant interviews with stakeholders at the national and regional levels.

Limitations: there are significant information gaps on the pre-crisis and crisis situations across different states in Sudan. As Sudan has a centralised system of operating, many of the headquarters and servers are based in Khartoum and are significantly affected by the conflict. Insecurity and network disruptions are also preventing information collection, leading to a lack of information on the impact of cash liquidity disruptions on people in Khartoum.