By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Mrs. Jeneba Kpaka Bangura, shared significant updates on the Authority’s progress in revenue collection and digital transformation during a press briefing on March 18, 2025, at the Miatta Conference Hall.
Mrs. Kpaka-Bangura proudly reported that the NRA had met 99 percent of its 2024 revenue target, a testament to the positive effects of the reforms implemented over the past year. Notably, the Authority’s revenue collection has seen an impressive 100 percent increase since 2022, highlighting significant progress in financial discipline and sustainable growth. She emphasized that the NRA’s efforts are firmly aimed at surpassing the 2024 targets, with a continued focus on improving compliance and revenue generation.
“We are on track to surpass the 2024 revenue targets, and we recognize that public cooperation and compliance are critical to achieving these goals,” said Mrs. Kpaka-Bangura. She further stressed the vital civic responsibility of taxpayers in supporting national revenue mobilization and urged businesses and individuals to actively request and issue Goods and Services Tax (GST) receipts to reinforce transparency and accountability.
In addressing public concerns, the Commissioner General clarified that no new taxes had been introduced. Instead, the NRA’s approach has been to enhance efficiency in the tax collection process and improve overall compliance. She reassured the public that the focus remained on optimizing existing mechanisms rather than increasing the tax burden.
One of the key focal points of the briefing was the NRA’s ongoing digital transformation. Mrs. Kpaka-Bangura highlighted that the digitization of revenue processes has eliminated many outdated manual procedures, improving the Authority’s efficiency and the quality of service delivery. The ongoing collaboration with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) has played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth integration of these reforms, which have significantly streamlined tax collection procedures.
Emphasizing the future direction of Sierra Leone’s tax system, the Commissioner General encouraged the public to embrace the transition towards a cashless economy. She underscored that the digitalization of tax processes is not just a temporary solution, but a long-term strategy for modernizing revenue administration and fostering a more transparent, efficient, and accountable system.
“Digitalization is key to achieving greater efficiency in tax collection. It allows us to be more responsive to the needs of the taxpayers while ensuring a fair and transparent process,” Mrs. Kpaka-Bangura explained. She reiterated that a cashless economy represents the future of tax administration and would help create a more formalized and effective system.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Kpaka-Bangura reaffirmed the NRA’s commitment to maintaining a fair, transparent, and modern tax system. She appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to support the government’s revenue mobilization efforts, recognizing that sustainable economic growth depends on the country’s ability to generate sufficient domestic revenue.
“We must work together to achieve the revenue targets that will help build a prosperous and sustainable economy,” she concluded. The briefing highlighted the NRA’s ongoing efforts to ensure financial discipline, improve tax compliance, and modernize Sierra Leone’s tax administration system. With a strong focus on digital transformation, the NRA is positioning itself to meet future challenges and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.
