By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has taken a significant leap towards modernizing tax collection in Sierra Leone by introducing digital tax filing and mobile payment systems. Commissioner General Jeneba Bangura made the announcement during the Civic Festival, highlighting the benefits of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), which enables taxpayers to file returns and make payments electronically.
This new system aims to reduce delays and enhance transparency, making the tax compliance process more efficient. Bangura explained that many services previously handled manually have now been digitized, a transformation that simplifies the experience for taxpayers. “Last year, if you wanted to pay your taxes, you had to do everything manually,” she noted. “Now, with mobile wallets, payments can be made electronically. We are pushing towards a fully electronic tax ecosystem.”
Despite these advancements, Bangura acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly frequent electricity outages that disrupt online filings and require taxpayers to restart their submissions. She emphasized the need for reliable infrastructure to sustain progress in the digital transformation of tax administration.
In a related effort to enhance public health, China has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to improve newborn and child health in Sierra Leone. This initiative, titled “Accelerating Newborn and Child Health in Sierra Leone for Improved Survival and Well-being,” is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and is expected to have a nationwide impact.
The project will focus on training nearly 1,000 health workers and equipping over 80 health facilities with essential medicines and solar power to improve service reliability, particularly in remote areas. Additionally, it aims to enhance health data management and referral systems to facilitate timely access to care for newborns and children.
Funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF), the initiative is projected to directly benefit around 400,000 children and reach more than 1.1 million individuals across the country. This collaboration not only reflects a commitment to shared learning but also represents a sustained investment in the health and well-being of Sierra Leone’s children as the nation works to reduce maternal and child mortality rates.
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