By Emma Black
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has urged West African nations to place domestic resource mobilization at the heart of their strategies for sustainable development, delivering a compelling address at the 7th High-Level Policy Dialogue of the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF). The event, hosted with pride at the Foreign Service Academy in Freetown, brought together tax administrators, policymakers, and international stakeholders to address pressing fiscal challenges.
On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Dr. Jalloh opened his remarks by expressing Sierra Leone’s deep honor in hosting this significant gathering, setting a tone of regional unity. He outlined the severe economic pressures facing low-income countries, attributing them to a series of global crises, in recent years, we have endured multiple shocks COVID-19, soaring energy and transport costs due to the Russia-Ukraine war, dwindling development aid, and escalating insecurity in the Sahel, he explained, these challenges are exerting immense strain on the economies of West Africa.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, the Vice President highlighted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 would demand an annual investment of approximately $4 trillion a sum far exceeding the capacity of external funding. He advocated for a strategic pivot towards internal resources, stating, There is no better moment than now for low-income nations to prioritize domestic revenue mobilization. Robust revenues are the foundation of strong state capacity; without them, development remains out of reach.
Dr. Jalloh reaffirmed the Sierra Leonean government’s dedication to fostering a transparent and fair tax system. He detailed ongoing efforts to digitize tax administration and expand the tax base, key reforms aimed at strengthening national finances, our administration is steadfast in pursuing an efficient, transparent, and equitable tax framework to enhance revenue collection, he asserted. A weak revenue base undoubtedly undermines a state’s ability to deliver meaningful development.
Concluding his address, the Vice President reiterated Sierra Leone’s unwavering support for WATAF and the broader regional tax collaboration agenda, this forum offers a vital platform for sharing innovative ideas successes from Liberia, Gambia, or Senegal can inspire and be adapted here, he noted, Sierra Leone is fully committed to bolstering this institution and advocating for its mission on regional and global stages.
The dialogue, which continues to foster critical exchanges among West African leaders, underscores a collective resolve to build resilient economies through enhanced fiscal strategies.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 22nd September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
