Addis Ababa – The Ministry of Revenue and the Ethiopian Customs Commission have vowed to deepen institutional reforms and enhance efficiency, following a year in which they successfully met their collection target of 900 billion birr.
At a high-level forum held under the theme “We will achieve our mission through coordinated leadership and active participation of employees,” Revenue Minister Aynalem Nigusse praised staff for their commitment, while signalling greater expectations for the year ahead.
“We will work with determination to meet the growing needs of our people by strengthening our revenue collection capacity,” said the Minister, noting that the revival of the national economy now rests squarely on the shoulders of institutions like his.
The 2018 fiscal year comes with an even more ambitious target, 1.28 trillion birr, requiring not only enhanced collection mechanisms but also a renewed focus on digitalisation, leadership development, and citizen-facing service delivery.
Commissioner of Customs, Debele Kabeta, acknowledged the structural challenges facing the country’s revenue systems, but stressed that the Commission had met the moment. “We have overcome complex problems and fulfilled the mission entrusted to us,” he said. “Now, we must channel our capabilities to address both internal and external obstacles and meet this year’s target.”
The forum also stressed the need to modernise operations, particularly in areas where service inefficiencies have undermined public trust. There was consensus that strengthening the human and digital infrastructure of the revenue system would be essential for building fiscal resilience.
Beyond numbers, officials underscored a commitment to socially conscious revenue collection, balancing fiscal needs with fairness, and anchoring the nation’s economic aspirations in responsive, human-centred governance.