Poll: 93% of Sudanese Complain About Excessive Fees and Levies

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon

Wide segments of Sudanese citizens have expressed dissatisfaction and frustration over the multiplicity of government fees and levies, saying that their unchecked expansion has become a direct burden on citizens and living costs. According to a recent poll, 93.8% of respondents described the fees as high and negatively affecting economic life.

The findings were released by the Arab Experts Center for Press Services and Public Opinion Studies, which noted that the lack of state revenues also places the government under real pressure in providing essential services, making the issue one that requires balance and responsible dialogue to protect citizens while serving state interests.

Results obtained by *Sudanhorizon* showed near-consensus among participants that the large number of government fees increases the burden of living costs, with 95.5% agreeing with that view.

The poll was conducted electronically and openly, drawing broad participation from 122,306 respondents across various Sudanese cities, in addition to Sudanese expatriates living in Egypt, Gulf countries, Europe, Asia, and other diaspora locations.

When asked whether government fees are imposed following comprehensive and sufficient studies, only 3.1% answered yes, while 90.6% said no, and 6.3% responded that they did not know.

Regarding the impact of school-related fees on continuing education, the results reflected widespread concern, with 87.5% saying such fees constitute a major obstacle, while 11.1% described them as a moderate obstacle.

In response to an open-ended question about the most burdensome fees facing Sudanese citizens, respondents highlighted taxes, levies, road tolls, local government fees, and charges on official transactions as the most problematic due to their direct impact on prices of goods, services, and overall living costs.

Participants also repeatedly pointed to education fees, healthcare and treatment costs, customs duties, fuel prices, and transportation fees as among the heaviest burdens under the current economic conditions.

Some respondents argued that the reliance on levies instead of production reflects weaknesses in economic management, while others said that nearly all government-imposed fees have become a heavy burden on citizens amid the ongoing crisis.

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