Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance has intensified engagements with the leadership of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) following low domestic revenue generation in January and February 2025, according to the ministry’s communications unit.
During a meeting at the Customs Department, Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura conveyed President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s concerns over the revenue shortfall. He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen revenue mobilization, noting that the country’s revenue-to-GDP ratio stands at approximately 8.1%, a figure that must improve given the nation’s high expenditure demands.
The Minister underscored the government’s investment in technological reforms aimed at enhancing tax collection, administration, and management. He urged NRA staff to take full responsibility for implementing tax laws and reforms to boost compliance and enforcement.
Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie echoed this call, urging NRA officials to make full use of available systems to maximize revenue collection. Dingie assured them of the Ministry of Finance’s continued support in meeting national revenue targets.
NRA Board Chair Kabineh Kallon reminded staff that revenue targets should be viewed as baselines rather than limits, encouraging them to adhere to tax regulations and enforce compliance effectively.
Deputy Minister of Finance II, Bockarie Kalokoh, identified key areas for improvement, particularly in the collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), and Customs duties.
NRA Commissioner General Jeneba Bangura reported a 25% shortfall in revenue collection since January 2025, a trend she said must be reversed in the coming months. She added that the Ministry of Finance’s visit reaffirmed the President’s firm position on improving revenue generation.
The Minister and his team visited several key operational sites, including the Customs Department at the Port, the ITS scanning facility, and the Domestic Tax Department. Discussions during these visits focused on compliance, enforcement, the integration of technology, and enhancing staff performance in revenue collection.
