By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has commenced the nationwide distribution of Smart Goods and Services Tax (GST) machines to 10,000 GST-registered businesses as part of efforts to strengthen tax compliance, improve transaction monitoring and enhance domestic revenue mobilisation.
The rollout, which officially began at Rensis House on Gloucester Street in Freetown, is expected to complement the existing Electronic Cash Register system by providing businesses with a more efficient digital platform for recording taxable transactions and issuing GST receipts.
As part of the exercise, NRA officials are engaging business operators through sensitisation sessions designed to familiarise them with the machines, explain their GST obligations and provide guidance on the proper use of the technology.
The Authority said the Smart GST machines are expected to improve the accuracy of transaction records and help reduce revenue leakages by providing electronic records of taxable sales.
Speaking during the launch of the distribution and sensitisation exercise, NRA Commissioner General Abu Martin Kanneh described the initiative as an important component of the Authority’s domestic revenue mobilisation strategy.
Kanneh said the machines would benefit both businesses and the Government by promoting accurate record-keeping, strengthening compliance and improving customer confidence in the tax system.
“The Smart GST machines will benefit businesses and the Government by promoting accurate record-keeping, strengthening compliance and building customer confidence,” he said.
The Commissioner General also called on journalists and media practitioners to support the NRA’s public education efforts by helping businesses and consumers understand the importance of the new system.
He particularly encouraged consumers to request GST receipts whenever they make taxable purchases, stressing that public participation would be important to the success of the initiative.
Under the system, GST-registered businesses are expected to issue valid GST receipts for taxable transactions, while consumers are encouraged to request and retain receipts as evidence of their purchases.
The NRA believes consumer involvement can help improve compliance by ensuring that taxable transactions are properly recorded and reported.
The introduction of the Smart GST machines comes at a time when the Government is placing greater emphasis on strengthening domestic revenue collection and reducing reliance on external financing.
For the NRA, modernising tax administration through digital technology is a key part of efforts to improve revenue collection and ensure that businesses meet their tax obligations.
The new machines are expected to provide the Authority with more reliable electronic transaction records, making it easier to monitor taxable sales while helping businesses maintain accurate accounts.
NRA officials are expected to continue the distribution and sensitisation exercise across the country, with technical support being provided to targeted businesses to ensure that operators can properly use the machines.
The Authority has urged all GST-registered businesses included in the rollout to cooperate with its officials and make proper use of the machines once they are distributed.
It has also appealed to members of the public to support the initiative by requesting GST receipts when purchasing taxable goods and services.
The NRA said the success of the Smart GST system will depend on cooperation among the Authority, businesses, consumers and the media.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
