Reported by: Naneka Hoffman
Monrovia, Liberia—The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening fiscal decentralization and local governance through a joint field mission and sector consultations across Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Nimba Counties. The mission examined the Real Property Tax Expansion Project, a pilot project intended to improve local revenue mobilization systems and facilitate the operationalization of Liberia’s Revenue Sharing Act.
The project, which is being carried out under the Liberia Decentralization Support Programme (LDSP) with assistance from Sweden and UNDP, makes use of digital tools and cutting-edge systems to enhance property mapping, tax assessment, bill generation, and revenue administration—all crucial components in creating transparent and accountable local governance.
Stakeholders, including government representatives, development partners, and the implementing company KWARECOM, Inc., visited District #3 in Grand Bassa County to assess progress and watch field activities, such as real-time property mapping and tax bill distribution. With more than 2,000 tax bills generated and hundreds issued, as well as the mapping and documenting of both improved and unimproved properties, preliminary results demonstrate substantial progress.
During the mission, delegates stressed the importance of increasing domestic resource mobilization in an effort to improve service delivery, increase accountability, and allow local governments to fund development priorities. The project also shows how data-driven systems and digital technology may improve efficiency, promote evidence-based decision-making at the local level, and modernize public finance management.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) conducted sector budget consultations in Margibi and Nimba Counties, in which UNDP took part as well. The implementation of the 2026 fiscal rules, budget disaggregation, and fiscal decentralization were the main topics of these consultations, which represented a shift from policy talks to actual execution.
With the goal of improving accountability, transparency, and service delivery across the country, the Government of Liberia highlighted important reforms, such as the growth of County Treasury Centers and improved county-level expenditure tracking. While progress is evident, stakeholders identified areas for further strengthening, including long-term sustainability of digital systems, enhanced engagement with diaspora property owners, and continued investment in ICT infrastructure and institutional capacity.
Even though there has been progress, stakeholders pointed out areas that still needed improvement, such as the long-term viability of digital systems, improved interaction with property owners from the diaspora, and ongoing investments in ICT infrastructure and institutional capacity.
The joint mission emphasized that for the purpose of expanding reforms and guaranteeing sustainable impact, robust collaborations between the government, communities, and development partners are still essential. The Real Property Tax Expansion Project is a big step toward giving local governments the tools and resources they need to promote inclusive development and provide services that meet the needs of their constituents.
