By: Precious Miracle Kargbo (Snr)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sierra Leone has commissioned a series of containerised service offices for the National Revenue Authority (NRA), an initiative aimed at decentralising tax services and making it easier for small traders and entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses under the new Block Management System.
The modular offices, installed in strategic locations frequently visited by market vendors and micro-entrepreneurs, serve as mobile one-stop service points where citizens can register their businesses, receive guidance on tax obligations, and access targeted tax education.
According to UNDP officials, the initiative addresses long-standing challenges that have kept many informal operators outside the tax system. These challenges include limited access to registration facilities, inadequate awareness of tax regulations, and the perceived complexity of tax compliance.
By bringing services closer to traders, the containerised offices are expected to streamline the business registration process and reduce both financial and time costs associated with travelling to central offices for such services.
The initiative forms part of the NRA’s Block Management System, an administrative approach that divides urban commercial areas into manageable blocks. This system is designed to provide tailored revenue services, improve engagement with taxpayers, simplify record-keeping for small businesses, and enhance the NRA’s capacity to deliver services more efficiently.
UNDP officials emphasized that tax education is a key component of the project. Staff stationed at the containerised offices will provide practical guidance on taxpayer rights and responsibilities, tax filing procedures, and simplified accounting practices suitable for micro and small enterprises.
The hands-on approach aims to demystify taxation, encourage voluntary compliance, and support businesses in transitioning from the informal to the formal sector. Formalisation, they noted, can help entrepreneurs access financial services, legal protections, and government support programmes.
The containerised offices are also designed to be flexible and mobile. They can be relocated to areas with high commercial activity or where there is a greater demand for business registration services.
UNDP highlighted that the success of the initiative depends on strong collaboration between the National Revenue Authority, local authorities, and community groups to ensure the service points are accessible and responsive to the needs of traders.
Development partners described the initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen public systems and promote inclusive economic growth. For small entrepreneurs, formalisation through simplified registration and improved tax knowledge can create better market opportunities and strengthen their contribution to national development.
Officials also stressed the need for continued public outreach, staff training, and monitoring to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the programme. UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support to the NRA and encouraged complementary initiatives such as digital tools, microfinance linkages, and entrepreneurship training to maximise the benefits of business formalisation.