ZRA Advances Drive to Boost Domestic Revenue

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it is making steady progress in increasing the proportion of the national budget funded through domestic revenue collection.

The Government aims to finance 80% of the national budget from locally generated resources over the medium term.

Speaking at the opening of the International Centre for Tax and Development Forum in Lusaka, ZRA Commissioner General Digani Banda, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Richard Kapasa, said the Authority's contribution to national budget financing has grown from 49.6% in 2021 to a projected 73.1% in 2026.

Mr Banda attributed the improvement to ongoing tax reforms and stronger efforts to mobilise domestic revenue.

He said the ZRA is modernising its tax administration systems by investing in technology, expanding the use of data analytics and strengthening research to enhance tax compliance, improve services for taxpayers and curb revenue leakages.

Meanwhile, International Centre for Tax and Development Executive Director Professor Giulia Mascagni said the forum is taking place at a critical time, as many countries seek fair and sustainable tax reforms to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and support long-term development.

Professor Mascagni said participants will explore practical approaches to improving tax administration, advancing tax policy reforms and addressing the fiscal and political challenges facing revenue authorities.