By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The National Revenue Authority on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, welcomed the newly appointed Chinese Counselor for Commerce, Peng Wang and his delegation at its headquarters in Freetown, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening economic ties and enhancing revenue collection. The courtesy visit underscored ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China, with a focus on fiscal governance, institutional development and trade facilitation.

Commissioner General of the NRA, Jeneba J. Bangura, warmly received the Chinese delegation and highlighted the Authority’s ongoing reforms aimed at modernizing tax and customs administration. She emphasized that digital transformation remains a key pillar of the NRA’s strategy, referencing the recent automation of duty waiver processing and streamlining of Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption procedures.

“These reforms are designed to promote efficiency, transparency and accountability in our tax systems,” said Jeneba J. Bangura. “Diplomatic and development institutions will now be issued standardized one-year GST exemption certificates, complete with operational guidelines, to ensure consistency and prevent misuse of tax privileges.”

Jeneba J. Bangura also spoke on the Authority’s coordinating role in managing tax incentives, assuring that the NRA is committed to safeguarding fiscal integrity while facilitating legitimate exemptions.

In response, Counselor Peng Wang praised the NRA’s reform agenda and reiterated China’s support for Sierra Leone’s revenue mobilization efforts. He acknowledged past contributions from the Chinese Government, such as the donation of container scanners at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and Gbalamuya border post, as well as the facilitation of international training programs for over 15 NRA personnel.

Counselor Peng Wang further revealed that the Chinese Embassy is prepared to sponsor more capacity-building initiatives tailored to the NRA’s priority areas, including tax administration and customs compliance. He also disclosed plans for the imminent establishment of a Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone, which he described as a strategic platform for continuous dialogue between Chinese businesses and national institutions like the NRA.

“The upcoming Chamber of Commerce will not only strengthen business-to-Government engagement but will also support mutual understanding and investment-friendly policy formulation,” Counselor Peng Wang added.

Jeneba J. Bangura expressed strong support for the proposed initiatives, particularly in areas such as GST compliance, rental income tax enforcement and institutional strengthening. She emphasized that the NRA is committed to internalizing knowledge gained from technical support programs and translating it into measurable improvements in service delivery and revenue outcomes.

The meeting ended on a high note, with both parties expressing goodwill and a shared determination to advance Sierra Leone’s development priorities through strategic cooperation, policy alignment and an improved investment climate.

Underscoring the importance of international partnerships in supporting national revenue systems, the engagement signals a forward-looking approach to sustainable economic collaboration between Sierra Leone and China.

 

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/nra-strengthens-ties-with-chinese-commerce-counselor-to-enhance-revenue-reforms/