South Sudanese Entrepreneur Johk Biong Opens Forex Trading Academy, Donates $75,000 to University Students

JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudanese businessman and financial educator Johk Biong has officially launched the Biong Forex Trading Academy in Juba, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing financial literacy movement. At the same ceremony, Biong announced a donation of $75,000 to be distributed among students enrolled at several universities across South Sudan.

The inauguration, held at a venue in Juba's central business district, drew hundreds of attendees including government officials, university administrators, financial sector professionals, and young South Sudanese eager to learn about global currency markets. The event was described by organisers as a landmark moment for economic empowerment in the country.

Speaking at the launch, Biong said the academy was born out of a desire to equip young South Sudanese with practical financial skills that could generate sustainable income regardless of the country's economic challenges.

"South Sudan's youth are talented and hungry for opportunity. Forex trading is a global market worth trillions of dollars every day, and there is no reason our young people cannot participate and benefit from it. This academy is my commitment to making that possible."

The academy will offer structured courses in foreign exchange trading, financial analysis, risk management, and investment strategy. Programmes are designed for beginners as well as intermediate learners, with both in-person and online options available to accommodate students from across the country's ten states.

$75,000 Donation to University Students

In a gesture that drew sustained applause from the audience, Biong announced that he would donate a total of $75,000 to students at several universities in South Sudan. The funds are intended to support tuition fees, academic materials, and living expenses for students who demonstrate financial need and academic merit.

Universities confirmed to benefit from the donation include the University of Juba, Upper Nile University, Rumbek University of Science and Technology, and Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology. Biong's team indicated that additional institutions may be included as the disbursement process is finalised.

"Education is the foundation of everything we want to build in this country," Biong told Radio Tamazuj. "If a student cannot afford to stay in school, all the potential they carry is lost — not just for them, but for South Sudan. This donation is a small step toward changing that."

University officials who attended the ceremony welcomed the contribution. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, speaking on behalf of the beneficiary institutions, described the donation as "a rare and generous act of patriotism" and called on other South Sudanese entrepreneurs to follow Biong's example.

A Vision for Financial Independence

Biong, who has been involved in financial markets for over a decade, said he first began trading forex while living abroad and quickly recognised the transformative potential it held for individuals in developing economies. Upon returning to South Sudan, he began offering informal training sessions before deciding to formalise his efforts through the academy.

The academy's curriculum has been developed in consultation with certified financial analysts and is aligned with internationally recognised trading standards. Graduates will receive certificates that Biong says are recognised by partner institutions in East Africa and beyond.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Planning were present at the launch and expressed support for the initiative. A ministry spokesperson said the government welcomed private sector efforts to build financial capacity among South Sudanese citizens, noting that financial literacy remained a critical gap in the country's development agenda.

The Biong Forex Trading Academy is expected to begin its first intake of students in August 2026. Interested applicants can register through the academy's offices in Juba or via its online platform.

Reporting by Radio Tamazuj Staff. Additional reporting from Juba.