FREETOWN – In a decisive move to boost domestic revenue in the second half of 2025, Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura on Monday, 11th August, led a high-powered delegation on unannounced inspections of beverage and water production facilities to check compliance with the government’s Digital Excise Tax Stamp system.
The delegation, which included deputy ministers, the chair and board members of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), and senior staff from both the NRA and Ministry of Finance, visited GVR Bottlers, Kings Beverages, Sierra Fruits, Victory Enterprises, and Shankadas Group.
Introduced in 2024 under Section 37 of the Finance Act 2019, the mandatory digital and paper excise stamps aim to curb counterfeit products, ensure fair competition, and increase tax revenue from excisable goods such as tobacco, alcohol, and beer. However, the Minister recently disclosed in the FY 2025 Supplementary Budget that revenue collection in the first half of the year fell short by nearly NLe1 billion.
Inspections revealed partial compliance, with some plants using automated SICPA stamping systems while others relied on manual stickers.
The team also uncovered attempts by certain manufacturers to evade taxes.
Following the visits, the NRA has been advised to shut down Shankadas Group at Ferry Junction and Victory Enterprises at Wellington for non-compliance, as the government prepares for further enforcement actions.
