The conflict has severely dismantled Khartoum's industrial footprint, which previously anchored the production of food, textiles, and basic consumer goods. Business owners attempting to resume operations must navigate acute shortages of electricity, damaged transport networks, and severe labor deficits. According to Sudan’s Ministry of Industry, hundreds of enterprises face total ruin alongside the widespread loss of raw materials and machinery. Without restored supply chains and stable access to financing, manufacturers warn that ongoing operations will remain unviable.
Key points
Widespread devastation and looting in industrial hubs have driven up consumer prices and…: Widespread devastation and looting in industrial hubs have driven up consumer prices and left workers jobless.
Producers face mounting expenses because materials once available locally must now be acq…: Producers face mounting expenses because materials once available locally must now be acquired through costly imports.
War has left Sudanese workers jobless and consumers facing higher prices as factories struggle to reopen.
Khartoum, Sudan – Mansour Gaily’s factory in Khartoum produced sweets for local consumers and provided employment for workers.
But when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, production ground to a halt, like thousands of other businesses across the country.
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More than three years later, Gaily faces the challenge of bringing his business back to life. Production may have resumed, but the factory is only operating at 40 percent of its previous capacity.
“Our losses are estimated at $1m,” Gaily told Al Jazeera. “We lost some machinery, spare parts, and needed to rebuild large parts of the factory.”
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