By zainab.joaque@awokonewspapersl.com
Washington, D.C. – During the 2025 Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington D.C., the National Revenue Authority (NRA) of Sierra Leone, led by Commissioner General Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, played a pivotal role within the country’s delegation, which was headed by Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura. This annual convergence of global finance leaders, which has included Sierra Leone’s participation for over two decades, provided a critical platform for the NRA to advance its reform agenda and strengthen international partnerships.
Throughout the week-long sessions, the NRA’s engagements were multifaceted. The team provided technical expertise during negotiations with the IMF, particularly on revenue-related aspects of Sierra Leone’s ongoing economic programme. This technical backstopping is vital as the country continues to implement the 38-month Extended Credit Facility approved in 2024, which aims to restore macroeconomic stability and rebuild reserves. The NRA also briefed development partners on the progress of technical assistance and reforms, seeking additional support to further modernize revenue administration.
A major highlight for the NRA at these meetings was the confirmation of support for several key reforms. Among them is the upcoming Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT) evaluation, scheduled for July 2025. This assessment, preceded by staff training and a pre-assessment, will benchmark the NRA’s progress against international best practices and identify areas for further improvement. Another significant initiative is the development of a comprehensive data management strategy, with external expertise to help the NRA harness tax data for compliance, risk management, and policy-making.
International taxation also featured prominently, with the NRA securing support for capacity building in areas such as transfer pricing and peer learning. The Authority is set to employ a novel self-assessment tool to diagnose its international tax capabilities. In addition, the NRA will continue to receive assistance in compliance risk management, a cornerstone of its efforts to boost domestic revenue.
Beyond bilateral discussions, the NRA actively contributed to shaping global policy. It participated in the drafting of the Seville Declaration, which will soon be launched in Spain and is expected to outline strategies for financing the Sustainable Development Goals over the next decade, emphasizing domestic resource mobilization.
On the sidelines, the NRA engaged with the African Union and the African Tax Administration Forum on the ongoing UN tax convention negotiations. These talks, targeting a 2027 completion, are crucial for ensuring Africa’s interests are represented in the evolving international tax framework. The NRA is preparing to nominate an expert to the negotiating committee, underscoring Sierra Leone’s commitment to a more inclusive global tax system.
The meetings also provided an opportunity to take stock of recent performance. The IMF and World Bank acknowledged Sierra Leone’s strong revenue collection in 2024, with the NRA achieving a 44% increase over the previous year and meeting 99.1% of its annual target. However, with fiscal pressures mounting in 2025 and a sluggish first quarter, the NRA pledged to intensify efforts to meet its half-year revenue goals. This will involve stricter enforcement of tax compliance and the recovery of arrears from both state-owned and private entities.
As the Spring Meetings concluded, the NRA’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to revenue mobilization as the bedrock of public service delivery and economic stability. The Authority’s proactive stance in Washington not only secured vital technical support but also reinforced its role as a key driver of Sierra Leone’s development agenda, determined to meet the expectations of both government and development partners. ZIJ/2/5/2025
 of Sierra Leone, led by Commissioner General Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, played a pivotal role within the country’s delegation, which was headed by Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura.){kind=link}