By Kidega Livingstone
African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $8.6 million grant to support the second phase of the country’s Non-Oil Revenue Mobilization and Accountability Project (NORMA II).
The grant, which includes $6.62 million from the African Development Fund (ADF) and $1.98 million from the ADF’s Transition Support Facility, aims to enhance the capacity of South Sudan’s National Revenue Authority (SSRA) to boost non-oil revenue mobilization and accountability.
Themba Bhebhe, the Bank’s Country Manager for South Sudan, said NORMA II will enhance the capacity of South Sudan’s National Revenue Authority (SSRA) to boost non-oil revenue mobilization and accountability
“This phase complements the ongoing Bank-supported NORMA I project and the Institutional Support Project for Strengthening Economic Governance in South Sudan,” he said.
“The two initiatives seek to address inefficiencies in broader public finance management, including budget framework, public sector spending efficiency, financial controls, reporting and accountability. Both projects are supported by ADF resources.”
According to the AfDB, the key interventions of NORMA II include developing the SSRA’s IT systems to improve revenue administration and tax collection, promoting tax compliance, and enhancing tax audits and investigations.
The project also aims to expand the implementation of existing tax policies while exploring new areas to broaden the tax base, particularly value-added tax, hotel tax, and property tax.
It will also consolidate training for project personnel from the first phase.
Additionally, the project will provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to the SSRA and the Ministry of Finance and Planning, enabling them to improve their ability to mobilize non-oil revenue and acquire equipment for internal training.
“They will also benefit from capacity building at the local and regional levels. South Sudan’s National Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance and Planning will also receive technical assistance to improve their ability to mobilize non-oil revenue and acquire equipment for internal training.”