By Amos Harris
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has launched a five-day benchmarking mission to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in Lusaka as part of efforts to strengthen Liberia’s digital tax administration and accelerate ongoing revenue modernization reforms. The delegation is headed by LRA Commissioner for Domestic Tax, Margaret P. Krote, and is participating in the study visit under the sponsorship of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF). The mission also includes representatives from the Malawi Revenue Authority, Revenue Services Lesotho, and ATAF.
During the visit, the delegation is examining Zambia’s integrated digital tax administration systems, which are widely regarded as a successful model for improving tax collection, transparency, and service delivery. Officials are studying the ZRA’s TaxOnline platform, Smart Invoice electronic invoicing system, data analytics capabilities, information technology infrastructure, and governance framework. These systems support electronic taxpayer registration, online tax filing, digital payments, document verification, and electronic invoicing.
The LRA said the benchmarking exercise is intended to provide practical technical and operational knowledge that will support Liberia’s ongoing tax reforms and strengthen its digital service delivery. The knowledge gained is expected to play a key role in preparations for the nationwide implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT), scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. The reforms also aim to expand digital tax services, making tax compliance easier, faster, and more convenient for taxpayers across Liberia.
Commissioner Margaret P. Krote described the mission as an important milestone in the LRA’s digital transformation agenda. “As Liberia prepares to implement Value Added Tax and expand digital tax services, it is essential that we learn from revenue administrations that have successfully undertaken similar reforms,” Commissioner Krote said.
She noted that the visit would enable the LRA to adopt proven international best practices, strengthen institutional capacity, improve taxpayer services, increase voluntary tax compliance, and build a more efficient, technology-driven revenue administration. Alongside Commissioner Krote, the Liberian delegation includes Assistant Commissioner for Customs Ports Operations Edwin F. Kendema and Assistant Commissioner for Transformation and Modernization Robert S. Kamei Jr.