Need to Understand South Sudan? We Deliver CATI Research.

South Sudan’s data privacy landscape is still evolving. While specific national legislation is developing, the National Communication Authority (NCA) oversees telecommunications. This means relying on reliable international standards for ethical data collection practices. Global Vox Populi adheres strictly to ICC/ESOMAR guidelines in all fieldwork. We deliver project integrity even where local laws are nascent. Our approach offers a trusted framework for CATI research in South Sudan. We are the partner that handles this work in South Sudan.

What we research in South Sudan

We apply CATI research in South Sudan to answer specific business questions. This includes brand health tracking for consumer goods and telecom services. We also conduct usage and attitude (U&A) studies to understand market behavior. For more qualitative insights, consider our in-depth interviews in South Sudan. Customer experience research for banking and mobile networks is another common application. Our teams deliver product concept testing before market launch. We also support public opinion polling and social impact assessments. Each project scope is tailored precisely to your brief.

Why CATI fits (or struggles) in South Sudan

CATI reaches mobile phone users effectively in South Sudan’s urban centers like Juba, Wau, and Malakal. It works well for literate populations with consistent network access. This method can efficiently gather quantitative data from specific segments. Our teams also manage CATI research in Kenya and other East African markets, adapting methodologies to local conditions. However, CATI struggles to reach deeply rural populations where mobile phone penetration remains lower. Connectivity gaps and inconsistent electricity can disrupt call quality. Low literacy levels among some demographics also present a challenge. While English is the official language, fluency in Juba Arabic, Dinka, or Nuer is essential for broader reach. We recommend CAPI or face-to-face methods for segments with very limited phone access or low literacy. These alternatives deliver more comprehensive coverage when CATI presents clear limitations.

How we run CATI in South Sudan

Our CATI projects in South Sudan source respondents primarily through mobile number databases. We also work with proprietary panels where available for specific demographics. Random digit dialing (RDD) for mobile numbers is employed to broaden reach. Screening includes standard demographic questions, attention checks, and recent-participation flags. We also implement strict quota management. Call center operations are centralized, often in a regionally proximate hub with strong infrastructure. This delivers consistent quality. Our interviewers are native speakers of English, Juba Arabic, Dinka, Nuer, and Bari. They receive extensive training in neutral questioning and survey protocols. Quality assurance involves live call monitoring and recorded call audits. Daily interviewer debriefs address any emerging issues. Back-checks confirm interview validity. Deliverables include cleaned datasets in formats like SPSS or CSV. We provide cross-tabulations, basic reports, and comprehensive debrief decks. Project management follows a clear cadence with regular client updates. To share your brief and explore a CATI project, tell us about your project.

Where we field in South Sudan

Our CATI fieldwork in South Sudan concentrates on major urban areas. This includes Juba, Wau, Malakal, Bor, Yei, and Rumbek. These cities offer the best mobile network infrastructure and respondent density. For reach beyond these hubs, we strategically target peri-urban areas with reliable connectivity. We recognize the challenges of remote rural access. Our approach prioritizes areas where CATI can be conducted with high data integrity. Language coverage includes English, Juba Arabic, Dinka, Nuer, and Bari. This delivers we can communicate effectively with diverse populations across these regions.

Methodology, standards, and ethics

We operate under the ICC/ESOMAR International Code on Market, Opinion and Social Research and Data Analytics (2016 revision). Where applicable, we align with ISO 20252:2019 standards for market, opinion, and social research. For South Sudan, where a local research body is not formally established, these international codes form our foundational ethical and quality framework. Our CATI fieldwork adheres to AAPOR response rate definitions. This delivers transparent reporting of our quantitative data collection efforts.

We apply these standards to every CATI project in South Sudan. Verbal consent is captured and recorded at the start of each interview. Respondents receive clear disclosure about the survey’s purpose and expected duration. We deliver their anonymity is maintained throughout the data collection and reporting process. Respondents retain the right to withdraw at any point.

Quality assurance during CATI fieldwork is multi-layered. It includes ongoing peer review of questionnaire logic and programming. We conduct rigorous call monitoring and back-checks on a percentage of completed interviews. Quota validation delivers sample representation. Our teams perform thorough data cleaning and statistical validation before delivery.

Drivers and barriers for CATI in South Sudan

DRIVERS: Mobile phone penetration is steadily increasing across South Sudan, especially in urban centers. This expands the accessible respondent pool for CATI. There is growing demand for quick, quantifiable insights from various sectors. Post-conflict reconstruction efforts and humanitarian programs often require rapid data collection. A general willingness to participate in surveys, particularly on social issues, supports response rates. These factors make CATI a viable option for timely data gathering.

BARRIERS: Inconsistent mobile network coverage remains a significant challenge outside major towns. Language fragmentation requires careful interviewer matching and questionnaire translation. Low B2B response rates are common due to limited business directories. Cultural sensitivities around certain topics can affect candor and participation. Security concerns in some regions impact respondent trust in unsolicited calls. Addressing these barriers requires careful planning and local insight.

Compliance and data handling under South Sudan’s framework

South Sudan does not yet have a comprehensive, single data protection law akin to GDPR or CCPA. The National Communication Authority (NCA) oversees telecommunications, but a broader data privacy framework is still developing. In this context, Global Vox Populi strictly applies the ICC/ESOMAR International Code as our minimum standard for data handling. For CATI, this means capturing explicit verbal consent for recording and data use. We anonymize personal identifiers immediately after fieldwork. Data residency is managed securely, often in regional data centers compliant with higher standards. Respondents are informed of their right to withdraw participation and request data deletion.

Top 20 industries we serve in South Sudan

• Telecommunications: Customer satisfaction, churn analysis, service adoption.
• Banking & Financial Services: Account usage, digital banking adoption, financial literacy.
• NGO & Development: Program evaluation, beneficiary needs assessment, opinion polling.
• FMCG & CPG: Brand awareness, product usage, retail availability.
• Energy & Utilities: Service access, satisfaction with providers, sustainability perceptions.
• Agriculture: Farmer needs, market access for produce, input usage.
• Healthcare Providers: Access to services, patient experience, health awareness campaigns.
• Government & Public Sector: Citizen satisfaction, policy perception, public service delivery.
• Construction & Infrastructure: Perception of new developments, material sourcing, labor dynamics.
• Education: Access to schooling, parent satisfaction, vocational training needs.
• Logistics & Transport: Service reliability, route preferences, freight movement.
• Retail & Wholesale Trade: Shop preference, product sourcing, consumer spending habits.
• Media & Entertainment: Content consumption, platform usage, news credibility.
• Mining: Community impact assessment, local employment, environmental perceptions.
• Brewing & Beverages: Brand preference, consumption patterns, distribution reach.
• Automotive (limited): Vehicle ownership, transport needs, brand perception.
• Hospitality (limited): Hotel stay satisfaction, tourism perceptions, local travel.
• Technology & IT Services: Mobile app usage, digital literacy, business software needs.
• Water & Sanitation: Access to clean water, service satisfaction, hygiene practices.
• Microfinance: Loan access, financial inclusion, impact assessment.

Companies and brands in our research universe in South Sudan

Research projects we field in South Sudan regularly cover the competitive sets of category leaders. These include mobile network operators like MTN and Zain South Sudan. Financial institutions such as Equity Bank, KCB Bank, and Nile Commercial Bank are often part of our scope. We also study the market dynamics around consumer brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Airlines operating in the region, including Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways, feature in travel research. Humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and the World Food Programme influence many social studies. Other key players include Nile Breweries, South Sudan Beverages Ltd., and various construction firms. Local retail chains and emerging tech companies also form part of our research universe. This includes companies like Juba Star Supermarket and tech startups focusing on mobile solutions. Whether the brief covers any of these or a category we have not named, our process scales to it.

Why teams choose Global Vox Populi for CATI in South Sudan

Our South Sudan desk operates with senior researchers. They bring significant experience in emerging markets. Translation and back-translation are handled in-house by native speakers of English, Juba Arabic, Dinka, and Nuer. Clients work with a single project lead from kickoff through debrief. This delivers consistent communication. We provide access to real-time data dashboards during fieldwork. Our comprehensive quantitative research services in South Sudan deliver data integrity across all project phases. This allows for faster decision-making and project adjustments.

Ready to scope a project? Send us your brief and we will come back with a sample plan, panel options, and recommended approach. Request A Quote.

Want to see the kind of work we deliver? View Case Studies from our research projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kinds of clients commission CATI research in South Sudan?
A: Our clients range from international development agencies and NGOs to telecom operators and fast-moving consumer goods companies. We also work with financial institutions and government bodies seeking public opinion or service satisfaction data. They typically need quantifiable insights quickly from specific demographics.

Q: How do you deliver sample quality for South Sudan’s diverse population?
A: We employ rigorous screening questions and implement demographic quotas based on census data or reliable estimates. Our sampling frame focuses on mobile phone users in areas with stable connectivity. Interviewers are trained to manage response bias. We also use back-checks to verify respondent authenticity.

Q: Which languages do you cover in South Sudan?
A: Our interviewers are fluent in English, Juba Arabic, Dinka, Nuer, and Bari. This allows us to conduct CATI research across the country’s main linguistic groups. Questionnaires are translated and back-translated to deliver accuracy and cultural appropriateness.

Q: How do you reach hard-to-find audiences (senior B2B, low-incidence consumer segments) in South Sudan?
A: Reaching these audiences via CATI can be challenging due to limited databases. For B2B, we might use referral sampling or existing professional networks. For low-incidence consumer segments, we often screen a larger general population sample. We also consider combining CATI with other methods like in-depth interviews.

Q: What is your approach to data privacy compliance under South Sudan’s framework?
A: South Sudan’s data privacy laws are still developing. We apply the ICC/ESOMAR International Code as our guiding framework. This includes obtaining explicit verbal consent, anonymizing data, and delivering secure data storage. Respondents are informed of their rights, including withdrawal.

Q: Can you combine CATI with other methods (FGDs + IDIs, CATI + CAWI, etc.)?
A: Yes, we frequently combine CATI with other methods to gain a richer understanding. For instance, CATI can identify key segments for follow-up in-depth interviews in South Sudan. It can also serve as a screening tool for qualitative research participants. This hybrid approach offers both breadth and depth.

Q: How do you manage cultural sensitivity in South Sudan?
A: Our interviewers are locally knowledgeable and trained in cultural nuances. Questionnaires are pre-tested for sensitive phrasing. We deliver topics are approached respectfully, and interviewers adapt their communication style. Open-ended questions allow respondents to express themselves naturally.

Q: Do you handle both consumer and B2B research in South Sudan?
A: Yes, we conduct both consumer and B2B CATI research. Consumer studies often focus on brand perception or product usage. B2B projects typically target small business owners or professionals in specific sectors. Each requires a distinct sampling and outreach strategy.

Q: What deliverables do clients receive at the end of a CATI project in South Sudan?
A: Clients receive a cleaned dataset in formats like SPSS or CSV. We provide detailed cross-tabulations and a comprehensive summary report. This report includes key findings, insights, and actionable recommendations. We also offer debrief presentations.

Q: How do you handle quality assurance and back-checks?
A: Quality assurance includes live call monitoring, recorded call audits, and daily interviewer performance reviews. We conduct back-checks on a percentage of completed interviews to verify respondent participation and data accuracy. Quota adherence is continuously monitored.

When your next research brief involves South Sudan, let’s talk through it. Request A Quote or View Case Studies from our work.