By Grace Q. Bryant
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) recently celebrated the 73rd International Customs Day, emphasizing the vital role of customs administrations worldwide in ensuring global security, facilitating trade, and driving economic growth.
The event, held at the EJS Ministerial Complex, was attended by former Customs Commissioners, international partners, and government officials under the theme: “Customs Delivering on Its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”
The program featured a vibrant parade with awards for Best Dressed Agency, Most Disciplined Parade Team, Best Parade Team, and Customs Merit Awards.
Speaking at the ceremony, LRA Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah reflected on the significance of the day, highlighting the sacrifices and resilience of customs officers who ensure the seamless flow of goods, secure borders, and mobilize national revenue.
Jallah also praised the LRA’s digitization initiatives, which include automating border offices, upgrading systems, and preparing to launch an Electronic Trade Single Window. This system aims to transform trade facilitation by reducing clearance times and costs.
The event underscored the critical role of customs in trade facilitation, national security, and economic development.
LRA boss extended gratitude to customs officers and stakeholders for their dedication and reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the global customs mission.
He noted efficiency remains central to Liberia’s economic growth. Through automation and digital reforms, such as the Electronic Trade Single Window, adding the LRA is creating a more business-friendly environment while simplifying trade processes.
According to him, the LRA has forged active partnerships with regional and international bodies, including ECOWAS, to align with global best practices. Initiatives like the SIGMAT transit system and electronic payment solutions are reducing trade barriers and fostering regional integration.
He expressed that the customs department continues to combat smuggling, illegal trade, and transnational crimes. Efforts include advanced training for customs officers at the National Police Training Academy, with plans for arms certification to enhance border enforcement.
He explained that Inter-agency collaborations with the Liberian National Police and the Armed Forces of Liberia are fostering a culture of cooperation and integrity, bolstering the nation’s ability to secure its borders while facilitating legitimate trade.
He emphasized that Customs revenue plays a pivotal role in Liberia’s development agenda. In 2024, the customs department exceeded its revenue target by 8%, collecting over US$200 million, an increase from US$45 million in earlier years. These funds are vital for education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Jallah reaffirmed the LRA’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption, urging customs officers to uphold transparency and integrity. He emphasized that corruption undermines trust and progress, calling for ethical conduct in tax and customs administration.
The LRA is committed to fully automating customs systems nationwide through the ASYCUDA system, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce revenue leakages. While digitization is not a complete solution, it addresses many of the challenges facing the customs sector.
The LRA has set ambitious goals to further enhance efficiency, security, and revenue generation. Officials expressed confidence in achieving these objectives through teamwork, innovation, and collaboration.
“Customs is not just about trade or taxes; it is about shaping a secured and prosperous Liberia for generations to come,” one speaker noted, calling on stakeholders to collaborate in building a stronger nation.
Commissioner Jallah emphasized the importance of creating a business-friendly environment, noting the LRA’s partnerships with ECOWAS and international bodies. Initiatives like the SIGMAT transit system and electronic payment solutions are designed to reduce trade barriers and align Liberia with global best practices.
“These efforts are intertwined with the arrest agenda, driving accountability, reform, and sustainability within our national system,” he noted.
The Commissioner highlighted customs’ role in national security, stressing the importance of combating smuggling, illegal trade, and transnational crimes. The customs security program, advanced training at the National Police Training Academy, and inter-agency collaborations further strengthen Liberia’s border enforcement.
Jallah reaffirmed that revenue mobilization remains at the heart of Liberia’s development agenda, with customs playing a key role in this process.
Former Senator of Grand Gedeh and former Customs Commissioner G. Alphonso Gaye, highlighted his contributions to Liberia’s customs administration during his tenure at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
Gaye reflected on the visionary leadership and reforms implemented under his watch, which significantly strengthened Liberia’s customs operations.
Gaye emphasized that his efforts, along with those of his team, laid the foundation for operational and strategic improvements within the Bureau of Customs. “These changes resulted in an increase in customs revenue from US$45 million to US$86 million annually.”
He noted, “Implementing and overseeing economic policies, including trade policies and regional trade agreements, has been crucial over the past two decades.”
Gaye encouraged customs professionals to focus on protecting revenue and facilitating trade, stating, “Your work must aim to protect revenue and facilitate trade for a prosperous Liberian economy, transforming the Bureau of Customs into a leading authority in the region, if not the world.”
He also urged his colleagues to build, lead, and operate a system rooted in commitment, competence, and innovation. “Customs must be comprised of professionals who are not only skilled but also dedicated to the nation’s progress,” he added.
According to him, the period between 2006 and 2009 marked a transformative era for Liberia’s customs administration, driven by sweeping reforms to modernize operations and align with international standards. These reforms addressed inefficiencies, revenue leakages, and corruption while enhancing trade facilitation and security measures.
Addressing corruption became a cornerstone of the reforms. In a pivotal speech during this era, the commissioner urged customs officials to demonstrate integrity, responsiveness, courage, and commitment.
He warned against the harmful effects of baseless corruption allegations on public servants and stressed the importance of transparency in building trust.
“Revenue collection rose dramatically, demonstrating the effectiveness of streamlined processes and robust enforcement, while trade facilitation improved, making Liberia more attractive for regional and international commerce,” he said.
Gaye said, “Customs is more than just about taxes and trade, it is about building a prosperous Liberia for future generations. Through commitment, competence, and innovation, Liberia’s customs professionals can continue to make meaningful contributions to the nation’s development.”
During the International Customs Day celebration, Commissioner Saa Saamoi of Liberia’s Customs Administration shared significant updates on recent advancements and initiatives aimed at enhancing Liberia’s customs operations.
Three days prior to the event, Commissioner Saamoi disclosed that a ten-member team from Liberia’s customs visited Conakry, Guinea, to finalize a model for the automation of transit activities between Liberia and Guinea.
He further announced that a similar mission would be carried out today with the Customs Administration of Ivory Coast.
The two initiatives, backed by the African Development Bank-funded ECOWAS Transit Connectivity Project, aim to pilot a digital transit system within the sub-region. This project is poised to enhance trade facilitation and streamline customs procedures between the countries.
“We will also be receiving a technical expert from ECOWAS, who will recommend work on electronic payments for customs,” Commissioner Saamoi explained.
He highlighted that these efforts are paving the way for a fully paperless customs system in Liberia. The new digital system is expected to reduce clearance time and costs while increasing transparency and accountability in customs processes.
Under the World Bank-funded Lift Project, Commissioner Saamoi announced that Liberia had finalized the modalities for upgrading and automating all customs processes. This project will further improve the efficiency and transparency of Liberia’s customs administration.
This year’s International Customs Day emphasized the essential role of customs in balancing trade facilitation with border security to foster economic growth.
He furthered that Liberia’s customs has committed to fully digitizing all border offices and enhancing automated systems to ensure seamless integration with international trade platforms. Despite facing challenges, Liberia Customs exceeded its revenue target by 8% in the last fiscal year, achieving the highest revenue collection in its history.
Liberia’s growing influence in global customs administration is evident through its capacity-building efforts. Under the guidance of international organizations like the World Customs Organization (WCO) and ECOWAS, Liberia has provided training to countries such as Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, and The Gambia.
Liberia also holds leadership roles on the international stage, including the vice-chairmanship of the WCO Permanent Technical Committee and representation at the WCO’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office.
Liberia’s Customs have adopted transparent systems to combat corruption, aligning with the WCO’s Arusha Declaration. The administration continues to enforce strict anti-corruption measures and promotes integrity within its ranks.