By: Mohamed J. Bangura
Sierra Leone recorded NLe1.91 billion in domestic revenue collections in September 2026, with income tax accounting for more than half of the total, according to figures released by the Bank of Sierra Leone.
Income tax collections rose significantly to approximately NLe1.07 billion in September, compared to NLe550.5 million in August, representing an increase of nearly 94 per cent. The performance further underscores the importance of income tax as a major source of government revenue.
For the first nine months of 2026, income tax collections reached NLe6.28 billion, representing 76 per cent of the annual target of NLe8.25 billion.
Customs and excise generated NLe274.9 million in September, while Goods and Services Tax (GST) contributed NLe259.2 million.
Although collections from customs and excise and GST declined in September compared to August, their year-to-date performances continued to contribute significantly to domestic revenue. Customs and excise collections reached NLe2.71 billion, representing 49 per cent of the annual target, while GST collections stood at NLe2.52 billion, equivalent to 65 per cent of its target.
Other revenue sources also recorded varying levels of performance. Mineral revenue achieved 80 per cent of its annual target, while fisheries revenue reached 83 per cent. However, road user charges remained significantly below target, with only 14 per cent achieved.
The September revenue breakdown shows that income tax generated NLe1.07 billion, followed by customs and excise at NLe274.9 million and GST at NLe259.2 million. Mineral revenue contributed NLe180 million, while the Treasury Single Account generated NLe150 million.
Other departments contributed NLe80 million, fisheries revenue accounted for NLe40 million, and road user charges generated NLe10 million, bringing total domestic revenue collections to NLe1.91 billion.
Between January and September 2026, overall domestic revenue collections reached NLe14.56 billion, representing 66 per cent of the government’s annual domestic revenue target of NLe22.16 billion.
With only three months remaining in the year, the government needs to mobilize an additional NLe7.60 billion to meet its annual target.
This requires an average monthly collection of approximately NLe2.53 billion between October and December, about 57 per cent higher than the monthly average recorded during the first nine months of the year.
Meanwhile, grant inflows remain a significant concern. No new direct budget-support grants were recorded in September, leaving total grant receipts for the first nine months at NLe368.95 million against an annual budget projection of NLe3.77 billion.
Combined domestic revenue and grant inflows stood at NLe14.93 billion, representing approximately 58 per cent of the government’s combined annual budget target.
The figures highlight the government’s revenue mobilization performance during the first nine months of 2026 and the substantial collections required in the final quarter to meet its annual fiscal targets.