The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) is making significant strides in modernizing its operations with the acquisition of 50 Starlink satellite terminals, a move aimed at enhancing internet connectivity and streamlining the country’s tax and revenue collection systems. The $162,000 investment, funded by the International Development Association (IDA) and the Government of Sweden through the Public Financial Management Reform and Institutional Strengthening Project (PFMRISP), is part of a broader effort to strengthen financial management and improve efficiency across the nation.
The Starlink terminals, which provide advanced satellite internet services, will enable the LRA to expand its digital infrastructure throughout Liberia, including remote and underserved regions. This project is a key component of the LRA’s strategy to leverage technology for better tax administration, enhance data accessibility, and increase transparency and accountability in government financial operations.
LRA Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah expressed gratitude for the international support, particularly from the World Bank and other partners, for enabling this technological leap. “This initiative is crucial to the success of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS) and the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) at our tax offices and customs posts nationwide,” Jallah said. “Achieving our ambitious revenue goals requires us to take bold and decisive actions, and the installation of Starlink technology is a critical step in that direction.”
The LRA has set an ambitious target of increasing annual revenue collections to the billion-dollar mark, and Jallah emphasized that this would require concrete actions like the Starlink project. The installation of these terminals is expected to minimize revenue leakages, improve the collection process, and support the LRA’s digital transformation, which is essential to meeting long-term financial goals.
Additionally, the LRA’s efforts have been supported by the recent approval of a one-year provisional license for Starlink/SpaceX to operate in Liberia, further enhancing the prospects for nationwide digitization in tax and customs services.
This technological upgrade marks a major step toward modernizing Liberia’s tax system and advancing its financial governance. With these new tools, the LRA is positioned to improve efficiency, increase revenue, and ensure that the country’s revenue system is in line with international best practices.
Source: The Liberian Investigator
