Published: November 7, 2024
Monrovia – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has taken a major step toward digital transformation with the acquisition of 50 Starlink satellite terminals, aiming to boost internet connectivity and enhance revenue collection across Liberia. Funded by the International Development Association (IDA) and the Government of Sweden through the Public Financial Management Reform and Institutional Strengthening Project (PFMRISP), the equipment is valued at approximately US$162,000 (or 149,400 Euros).
The installation of Starlink’s advanced satellite internet services will enable the LRA to expand its digital infrastructure nationwide. This initiative aligns with the LRA’s strategic plan to leverage technology to improve revenue collection, facilitate real-time data access in remote regions, and strengthen transparency, accountability, and reporting.
LRA Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah expressed profound appreciation for the support from the World Bank and other partners, emphasizing the importance of this initiative. “This initiative is pivotal in rolling out the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS) and the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) at all our tax business offices and customs posts across the country,” he said. “Achieving our annual revenue goal of reaching billions requires bold and intentional steps, and this Starlink installation is a critical one.”
He added that increasing the annual revenue envelope to the billion-dollar mark calls for “concrete and deliberate actions” and that this project is one of those essential steps.
The LRA’s digital push is further bolstered by the recent granting of a one-year provisional license for Starlink/SpaceX to operate in Liberia, presenting a unique opportunity to accelerate the digitization of revenue collection across the nation.
With this technological upgrade, the LRA aims to streamline revenue collection processes, minimize leakages, and ultimately drive domestic revenue collection towards its billion-dollar target. This shift to digital technology, according to the LRA, represents an irreversible path to modernizing Liberia’s revenue system and enhancing financial governance.
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