Washington D.C. 20th October 2025 – Sierra Leone is bracing for a steep drop in external financial support as the World Bank’s budget assistance to the country plunges from US$100 million to US$40 million in 2024, with no allocation expected in 2025.
The revelation was made by Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), during a high-level global dialogue on “Taxing Smarter After Aid” held at the OpenGov Hub in Washington D.C., as part of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.
The Commissioner General described the aid cuts as a fiscal shock, noting that similar reductions have occurred across other development partners, including the FCDO, while the European Union has only recently resumed limited support. Crucially, she pointed out that these reductions often come after national budgets are approved, forcing the government to restructure spending priorities under intense pressure.
“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,” Bangura stated.
In response, Sierra Leone has ramped up domestic revenue mobilization. The NRA increased its revenue targets by 46% in 2024, with a further 30% growth projected for 2025. The Ministry of Finance has also shifted from quarterly to daily revenue monitoring, signaling a new era of fiscal vigilance and reform.
“The pressure is relentless daily,” Bangura said. “But even under this pressure, we must maintain integrity and coherence in our reforms.”
Mrs. Bangura outlined a series of tax policy and administrative reforms aimed at strengthening compliance and service delivery. These include: Medium-Term Revenue Strategy, Finance Act, Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), ASYCUDA World for customs automation, Electronic Cash Register (ECR), Fuel Marking Programme for excisable goods
These tools have improved filing rates, enhanced taxpayer engagement, and contributed to Sierra Leone’s push for fiscal sustainability and independence.
The Commissioner General emphasized that the decline in donor funding has underscored the urgency of domestic resource ownership. She reiterated the NRA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and 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 concluded.
