Africa
South Sudan
SSCAA — Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulation 2026
South Sudan classifies drones into three risk categories (A, B, C) under SSCAA's UAS Regulation 2026, with mandatory registration and insurance.
400 feet (about 122 m) above ground level for Categories A and B.
Mandatory registration certificate (UAS type, registration date, nationality/registration marks).
Category A (low risk, typical for drones up to 5 kg): visual line of sight (VLOS) only, no separate certificate but must be reported to local authorities before flying. Categories B and C require authority approval, an operations plan and a risk assessment.
Minimum third-party liability insurance mandatory (proof required when applying for the operator certificate).
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Category A: minimum distance 50 m from uninvolved people/buildings, within 200 m of the control station, minimum visibility 5 km, daytime only (6am-6pm), maximum speed 20 km/h, maximum weight 5 kg including payload. Forbidden within 6 km of the aerodrome reference point or runway thresholds, unless authorized.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the text of the official regulation published by SSCAA (59 pages); the document, however, contains in several places the literal unfilled placeholder '[Name of State]' instead of 'South Sudan', indicating it's an adapted regional/ICAO template not yet fully finalized. The numeric content reported here is nonetheless what's actually published on the official site.
Verify officially before flying
Source: SSCAA — South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For South Sudan, the official reference remains SSCAA — South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority. Mandatory registration certificate (UAS type, registration date, nationality/registration marks).
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by SSCAA — South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority. Category A (low risk, typical for drones up to 5 kg): visual line of sight (VLOS) only, no separate certificate but must be reported to local authorities before flying. Categories B and C require authority approval, an operations plan and a risk assessment.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.