IPNEWS: The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), James Dorbor Jallah, and his senior management team on Wednesday (March 19) hosted a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), led by Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, for a strategic working session at the LRA Headquarters in Paynesville.
The crucial meeting underscored the importance of deepened collaboration between the two government entities in mobilizing and efficiently collecting revenue to support Liberia’s development agenda. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together more effectively to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities for revenue growth through the full implementation of the country’s revenue laws.
“We have come to receive an update on revenue performance and gain deeper insights into the challenges you face. Our goal is to work collaboratively to enhance revenue generation and drive national development,” Minister Ngafuan stated during the engagement.
The meeting also delved into the potential implications of evolving circumstances, particularly the USAID situation, which could negatively impact personal income tax revenues. Discussions covered assessments of policy measures adopted during the crafting of the 2025 national budget, as well as recent amendments to the revenue code aimed at optimizing tax collection.
Minister Ngafuan commended the LRA for exceeding its 2024 revenue target. The LRA successfully surpassed the projected US$690 million in domestic revenue, collecting over US$693 million. The Minister expressed optimism for sustained growth and stronger fiscal management in the years ahead.
For his part, Commissioner General Jallah acknowledged the Ministry’s continued support, which he credited as a key factor in the LRA’s success. He outlined a couple of challenges and emphasized the need for increased budgetary allocation to zaddress them and to enable the Authority to meet its ambitious domestic revenue target of US$804.6 million for 2025.
The three-hour session focused on the rigorous enforcement of revenue laws, particularly the full implementation of key legislative amendments such as the new VAT law which kicks off on April 1, the Road Fund Act, and other critical tax reforms.
The meeting concluded with both institutions reaffirming their shared commitment to revenue mobilization as a fundamental pillar of Liberia’s economic stability and development.
