The recently approved $750 million Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) Program-for-Results (PforR) project is planned to provide $10 million for technical assistance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
This project is a component of the larger $2.25 billion in reforms for Nigeria that the World Bank approved on June 13, 2024.
The ARMOR project has been approved for $730 million in results-based finance and $20 million in investment financing.
Accordingly, $20 million will be released first, with the remaining $730 million to be released after Nigeria satisfies specific conditions.
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According to a stakeholder engagement plan document for the project obtained from the website of the World Bank, the FIRS and the NCS will get $5 million in investment financing each.
The FIRS will receive $5 million to develop and implement critical initiatives aimed at enhancing its operations and revenue collection capabilities.
This funding will support the development and implementation of a robust third-party data sharing platform, along with administrative control programs to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
Additionally, the FIRS will develop a VAT lottery system and an e-invoicing system, both of which rely heavily on advanced software and extensive communication planning. These systems are designed to boost VAT collections and improve compliance among taxpayers.
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Furthermore, the funding will facilitate the creation of a risk-based audit assessment program for VAT and Corporate Income Tax (CIT), aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of audit processes within the agency.
Similarly, the NCS will receive $5 million to enhance its administrative processes and improve compliance. This funding will be used to design and implement new administrative processes, including the establishment of sanctions for non-compliance with excise rules.
The NCS will also develop centralized control room systems equipped with backup and disaster recovery capabilities, ensuring operational continuity and resilience in case of emergencies.
Moreover, the funding will support capacity-building initiatives, enabling the NCS to effectively manage and implement these new systems and processes, ultimately leading to improved compliance and operational efficiency.
