Lobbying and Interest Group Influence on Government Decision-Making: Evidence from South Sudan

This study investigates lobbying and interest group influence on government decision-making inpost-independence South Sudan, focusing on public awareness, perceived influence, andregulatory preferences. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design with a stratified purposivesample of 207 respondents across civil service, civil society organizations, private sector, andacademia, the research provides empirical evidence on lobbying dynamics in a fragile statecontext. Results reveal limited public awareness of lobbying (48.3%), with significant variationsacross demographic groups, and a perception that extractive industries exert disproportionateinfluence on policy decisions. Chi-square analyses demonstrate significant relationships betweeneducation level and lobbying understanding (p<0.001), and between occupation and perceivedinfluence (p=0.032). Despite low trust in Parliament (46.3% reporting “Low” or “None”), amajority of respondents (68.1%) support lobbying regulation, particularly through public hearingsand lobbyist registers. The findings suggest that South Sudan’s policy landscape is characterizedby information asymmetries, concentrated influence in resource sectors, and public demand forgreater transparency. These insights contribute to theoretical understanding of interest grouppolitics in post-conflict settings and provide practical recommendations for governance reformsthat could enhance transparency and equity in policy formation. The study addresses critical gapsin empirical research on lobbying in fragile states and offers a framework for future comparativeanalyses.