South Sudan nets $14.2 million in non-oil revenue for first time
Staff Writer |
South Sudan has achieved its highest ever receipt of $14.2 million in non-oil tax revenues for the first time in the nation’s history, through the efforts of a revamped state revenue authority.
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The impressive result recorded at the end of January 2019 is evidence that the Non-Oil Revenue Mobilization and Accountability (NORMA) project in South Sudan, set up with a $14.8 million grant from the African Development Bank to improve domestic resource mobilization in the non-oil sector, is achieving its objectives.
NORMA, in collaboration with the state National Revenue Authority (NRA), has driven accountability and transparency in the national revenue generating system.
Since January 1st 2019, South Sudan’s Revenue Authority (SSRA) has consolidated all its non-oil revenue receipts into one single account - the NRA Block Account.
The account has yielded approximately $14.2 million, for the month of January 2019 alone.
NORMA is also focusing on strengthening financial control and accountability mechanisms, directly benefitting the Ministries of Finance and Planning, SSRA, and several other state regulatory and fiscal bodies.
With the Bank’s support, the SSRA will continue to work with concerned partners to strengthen capacity of the key revenue agencies such as customs, to review the legal framework for the collection of non-oil revenue and the creation of an integrated/computerized revenue collection system.
The African Development Bank remains committed to working with South Sudan and its partners to help diversify the country’s economy and build the foundation for long-term structural transformation in Africa’s youngest nation.
With $899,100 in support from the Bank’s Institutional Support Project to Public Finance Management and Aid Coordination (PFAID) a purpose built office building has been built for the SSRA. ■