NRA Urges Clearing and Shipping Agencies to Boost Revenue
National Revenue Authority (NRA) Commissioner General Abu Martin Kanneh has called on clearing and shipping agencies to strengthen cooperation with the Authority to streamline customs operations and boost government revenue mobilisation.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholder engagement in Freetown on September 9, 2026, Kanneh emphasized the necessity of mutual collaboration to address longstanding operational bottlenecks facing Sierra Leone's trade and logistics sectors.
The strategic dialogue focused on primary challenges crippling customs operations, including systemic delays in goods clearance, regulatory compliance hurdles, payment verification inefficiencies, and the verification of authorised clearing agents.
Commissioner General Kanneh noted that the meeting aimed to deepen the Authority's understanding of sector-specific challenges and establish practical solutions. He urged agency leaders to utilize established channels for raising grievances, maintain full tax compliance, and actively support national revenue generation goals.
Reinforcing the call, Commissioner of Customs Services Tennyson Bio urged operators to expedite clearance procedures and respond promptly to information requests from the NRA regarding revenue performance.
In response, Mohamed D. Salia, President of the Clearing and Forwarding Agencies Association, announced new measures requiring all operating agents to obtain official identification cards, addressing serious industry concerns over counterfeit credentials and unauthorized operators.
While welcoming the initiative and pledging cooperation, participating agencies highlighted persistent issues requiring urgent intervention, including delays in payment verification, transit and scanning processes, ICT infrastructure, FTN services, technical training, and tariff clarity.
Stakeholders advocated for sustained, structured dialogue between the NRA and private sector partners to ensure customs processes become more transparent and efficient.
The engagement forms part of the NRA's broader strategy to enhance stakeholder relations, enforce compliance, and drive domestic revenue collection.
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