Jul 22 , 2025
The Minister of Revenue announced plans to collect 1.28 trillion Br in the upcoming fiscal year. This announcement was made during a discussion forum organised by the Ministry of Revenue (MoR) and the Customs Commission, which included senior leaders, employees, and relevant stakeholders. The event, themed "We will achieve our mission through coordinated leadership and active participation of employees," served as the platform for this important announcement. According to the ministry, they successfully achieved 100pc of their target for the current fiscal year, collecting 900 billion Br. "We will work with determination to meet the growing needs of our people by enhancing our revenue collection capacity," stated Aynalem Nigussie, the Minister of Revenue. While the Minister has completed the assigned responsibilities, there is an expectation for even greater effort, as 70 pc of the upcoming fiscal year budget is expected to come from domestic revenues. Ministry officials are facing ongoing challenges from illicit trade, which has intensified significantly over the past year. Customs officials reported seizing contraband valued at 15 billion Br, marking a 32pc increase compared to the previous year. Among the illicit items, khat, a popular stimulant crop and a major source of export revenue, remains a primary concern. Smugglers have diverted substantial volumes from legal export channels, negatively impacting legitimate traders and reducing tax revenue.