Washington D.C., USA
Friday, October 17, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, delivered a compelling address at the high-level global dialogue “Taxing Smarter After Aid: Accountability, Equity and Public Finance in a New Global Reality,” held at the OpenGov Hub in Washington D.C. during the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.
In her remarks, Mrs. Bangura highlighted the sharp decline in international financial support to Sierra Leone, particularly from the World Bank, whose budget assistance dropped from about one hundred million dollars to forty million dollars in 2024, with no allocation expected for 2025. She noted that similar trends were observed with other partners such as the FCDO, while the European Union has only recently resumed limited support. These reductions, she said, often occur after the national budget is approved, creating intense fiscal strain and forcing government to reprioritize spending. “When aid is cut after the budget is passed, we are forced to rearrange our spending priorities. It creates tremendous pressure on the national budget and increases the demand for more domestic revenue,” she explained.
She disclosed that in response to these challenges, Sierra Leone has intensified domestic revenue mobilization, with targets increasing by 46% in 2024 and projected to grow by a further 30% in 2025. She emphasized that the Ministry of Finance now conducts daily monitoring of revenue collection, replacing the previous quarterly oversight system. “The pressure is relentless daily, but even under this pressure, we must maintain integrity and coherence in our reforms,” she said.
Mrs. Bangura outlined the country’s ongoing tax policy and administrative reforms, including the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy, the Finance Act, and the introduction of digital systems such as the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), ASYCUDA World, the Electronic Cash Register (ECR), and the Fuel Marking Programme for excisable goods. She said these initiatives have enhanced compliance, improved filing rates, and strengthened taxpayer service delivery, all contributing to fiscal sustainability and independence.
The Commissioner General acknowledged that fiscal reforms are complex and require continuous adaptation, noting that the decline in donor funding has underscored the importance of domestic resource ownership. She reiterated the Authority’s commitment to accountability and transparency in all its operations and to building stronger partnerships that promote fair and effective tax administration. “Even with limited aid, our focus must remain on reforms that yield results, strengthen trust, and ensure that every citizen and business contributes their fair share,” she stated.
Mrs. Bangura’s presentation received wide commendation for its candour and forward-looking perspective. Her message captured Sierra Leone’s growing fiscal resilience and the nation’s determination to sustain progress through leadership, innovation, and reform-driven policies that ensure both national ownership and global credibility.