NRA Consults Stakeholders Ahead of ASYCUDA World Rollout at Jendema

The National Revenue Authority has begun consultations with sector heads, security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders at the Jendema Border Crossing Point as preparations continue for the planned introduction of the ASYCUDA World customs system.

The engagement took place on October 5, 2026, at the border post in Sorogbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District. The NRA said the discussions were intended to strengthen cooperation among agencies and stakeholders while supporting the modernisation of customs operations, legitimate trade and national revenue mobilisation.

System planned for three customs regimes

Munjiru I. I. Kallon, the NRA Customs Manager at Jendema, provided information on the planned rollout and operation of the system. He said ASYCUDA World would automatically process the three customs regimes covering Import, Export and Transit.

Kallon described the planned change as a move away from manual procedures. “three customs regimes—Import, Export and Transit—will be processed automatically,” he said, describing the transition as “marking a significant shift from manual procedures towards a more efficient and technology-driven customs operation”.

The source material does not provide a specific date for the system to go live at Jendema. The implementation is instead described as planned and expected to modernise operations, improve efficiency, facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen revenue mobilisation.

Technical presentation highlights system features

Philip Dumbuya, a supervisor in the ASYCUDA Unit within the Customs Services Department, delivered a technical presentation on the system’s functions and development in Sierra Leone.

Dumbuya said ASYCUDA supports customs revenue collection and produces trade data that can be used to analyse goods entering the country, as well as for economic planning and decision-making. He also said the system is used in more than 90 countries.

According to the presentation, ASYCUDA++ was introduced at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in 2009 and went live there in 2010. It was later upgraded to the web-based ASYCUDA World system in 2017.

Dumbuya said ASYCUDA World supports faster customs clearance, maintains an audit trail for between 10 and 15 years and includes security features for customs transactions and information. He also said the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation engaged professional hackers to conduct a security assessment of the system.

The system connects relevant agencies through dedicated modules and routes information according to each agency’s functions and responsibilities, Dumbuya said. Declarations are entered through a self-assessment process, while risk-based selection is used to identify consignments requiring examination.

Local staffing and facilities

Kallon highlighted the recruitment of six local staff members as part of developments at the border post. He also referred to the expected deployment of other commercial banks and the appointment of Mrs. Kumba S. Kallon, the post’s first female staff member.

He said cooperation among security agencies and community leaders had remained strong since the NRA began operating at the border. Kallon also expressed appreciation to NRA senior management for providing a new vehicle and office facility to support operations.

The engagement forms part of the NRA’s preparations for the planned Jendema implementation and its stated commitment to modernisation and improved service delivery.