In an unusual but decisive move, Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura has engaged the leadership of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) over concerns regarding the country’s sluggish revenue performance in the first two months of 2025.
Addressing commissioners and staff at the Customs Department, Minister Bangura conveyed President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s dissatisfaction with the current state of revenue generation. He highlighted that Sierra Leone’s revenue-to-GDP ratio stands at approximately 8.1%, a worrying figure given the country’s high expenditure demands.
The Minister emphasized that the government has made significant investments in tax reforms, including the deployment of technology-driven solutions to enhance tax collection, administration, and management. He urged NRA staff to take full responsibility in enforcing tax laws and implementing necessary reforms to boost revenue mobilization.
Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie reinforced this message, stressing the importance of utilizing available systems to improve collection efficiency. He assured NRA of the Ministry of Finance’s full support in addressing challenges and meeting revenue targets.
Board Chair of the NRA, Kabineh Kallon, reminded staff that revenue targets serve as a baseline rather than a limit and encouraged them to maximize tax collection in line with existing laws. Similarly, Deputy Minister of Finance II, Bockarie Kalokoh, called for intensified efforts in critical areas such as Goods and Services Tax (GST), Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), and Customs duties.
Providing a stark assessment of the situation, Commissioner General of the NRA, Jeneba Bangura, revealed that since January 2025, the country has experienced a 25% shortfall in revenue collection. She warned that this trend must not persist and expressed optimism that the Finance Ministry’s engagement would reinforce the President’s stance on the issue.
The ministerial delegation visited key revenue collection points, including the Customs Department at the Port, the ITS scanning facility, and the Domestic Tax Department. Discussions focused on compliance, enforcement, technological advancements, and staff conduct, all aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s revenue collection framework.
