The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has presented 113 different awards to recognize and appreciate the country’s most outstanding taxpayers for their dedication to tax payment and compliance during the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years.

These taxpayers were honored for their exemplary contributions, including the highest tax payments and consistent compliance. Each recipient was presented with a special recognition and a one-year tax clearance certificate as a mark of appreciation.

ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited received the Gold Award as the Highest Tax Contributor nationwide for 2022, while Bea Mountain Mining Corporation Inc. was honored with the same award for 2023. IVANHOE Liberia Limited secured the Silver Award for 2022, with ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited earning it for 2023. Bea Mountain Mining Corporation Inc. and Orange Liberia received the Bronze Award as the third-highest contributors for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Ecobank Liberia Limited was recognized as the highest compliant taxpayer in the Large Tax Division for 2022, with Chicri Brothers Inc. earning the same recognition for 2023. Firestone Liberia was awarded the most compliant taxpayer in the natural resource sector for both years. Home Depot Stores and CHEEMA & CHAHAL Inc. were named the highest compliant taxpayers in the Medium Tax Division for 2022 and 2023, respectively, while Trust Service Company and Easy Solar were awarded the same honor in the Small Tax Division.

In the Petty Traders category, Jean Brother Business Center was recognized as the highest compliant taxpayer for 2022, while Ishmeal N. Bah received the award for 2023. In the real property category, Firestone Liberia emerged as the highest contributor for both years. Emmanuel L. Shaw II and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung received awards for the highest compliant real property (residential) in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Momolu V. Dukuly Sirleaf/CEMENCO was honored for being the highest compliant real property (industrial) taxpayer for both years.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy was acknowledged as the highest tax-contributing government ministry for 2022 and 2023. The Carter Center was named the highest compliant international NGO for 2022, with Samaritan’s Purse receiving the honor for 2023.

The Catholic Education Secretariat was recognized as the highest compliant educational institution for both years. Ecobank Liberia Limited was further honored as the highest compliant bank using LITAS and for collecting the highest tax amount. MTN-Liberia Mobile Money won the award for the highest tax amount collection among mobile money companies.

In the Customs category, A-Z Corporation was recognized as the highest merchandise contributor for both years. Conex Energy Liberia received the first-place award for the highest petroleum contributor in 2022 and 2023, with Petro Trade following in second place. Sunny Brothers Inc. was awarded the first-place highest importer for 2022, and Sethi Brothers Inc. received the honor for 2023. Nimba County won the award for the highest contributing leeward county to customs revenue in both years, followed by Grand Cape Mount County in second place. ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited was also acknowledged as the highest customs duty-paying concessionaire for both years.

During the awards ceremony, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Scholastica Nyenkan-Nimey, praised the awardees for their commitment to paying taxes and emphasized the importance of compliance from businesses, institutions, and property owners across Liberia.

LRA Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah commended the taxpayers for their contributions to the national revenue, which supports Liberia’s developmental programs. He reiterated the LRA’s commitment to reaching the $1 billion revenue mark, highlighting the role of technology in enhancing revenue collection and fiscal stability.

A representative of ArcelorMittal Liberia expressed gratitude to the LRA for recognizing taxpayers and underscored the importance of tax compliance in driving national development. He also commended the Liberian government for creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and pledged the company’s continued commitment to meeting its tax obligations.

This year’s Taxpayer Appreciation Awards, held under the theme “Moving To Billions, Celebrating Taxpayers’ Impact,” took place at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town on November 22, 2024.

The event, organized in collaboration with the USAID-LEAD Activity and InfoQuest, brought together taxpayers, government officials, partners, and stakeholders. This year’s activities, for the first time, included a donation to orphans in Margibi, the inaugural Student Tax Day and Debate, an awards dinner, and a sporting and entertainment event held on Saturday to conclude the celebration.

Launched in 2017, the LRA’s annual Taxpayer Appreciation Awards program seeks to recognize and appreciate taxpayers for fulfilling their obligations, motivate them to remain compliant, and inspire others to contribute to the nation’s development through tax payments.