IMF, NRA Commit To Stronger Collaboration On Revenue Mobilisation

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Country Representative Maxwell Tuuli and National Revenue Authority (NRA) Commissioner General Abu Martin Kanneh have pledged to deepen collaboration on tax compliance, revenue mobilisation and tax administration to strengthen Sierra Leone’s fiscal stability.

The commitment followed their first formal meeting since Kanneh’s appointment in August 2026, with discussions focusing on strengthening tax administration and addressing revenue leakages. Kanneh has identified the informal sector as a major source of revenue leakage and pledged stronger enforcement and public awareness campaigns on the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Kanneh, a more than 20-year NRA veteran who joined the Authority in 2004 as a Collector, has promised a leadership approach based on teamwork, transparency and accountability. During his parliamentary vetting, he voluntarily declared his assets, which the Leader of Government Business described as unprecedented among public appointees.

His appointment was part of a presidential reshuffle announced on August 11, 2026. He succeeded Jeneba J. Bangura, who was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Karefa A.F. Kargbo was named Minister of Finance.

The IMF has supported Sierra Leone’s revenue reforms, including the formulation of the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy and governance assessments at the NRA. In December 2025, the Fund completed the first and second reviews of Sierra Leone’s Extended Credit Facility arrangement, resulting in a US$79.8 million disbursement.

Tuuli and Kanneh reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, with both sides recognising a strong IMF-NRA partnership as essential to achieving measurable progress in domestic revenue mobilisation.

The Ministry of Finance has also proposed a performance contract for Kanneh’s tenure, linking his leadership to measurable revenue outcomes. His appointment has been welcomed within the NRA, particularly as staff expressed optimism over the elevation of a career insider to the Authority’s top position.