ZRA Achieves 99% Digitalization in Payment Processes
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has announced that 99% of its payments are now conducted electronically. This significant milestone reflects the authority’s commitment to innovation and transparency in tax collection.
According to Oliver Nzala, ZRA’s Corporate Communications Manager, the transition to digital payments represents a strategic shift aimed at creating a streamlined, secure, and technologically advanced system for revenue collection.
This move is expected to bring about various benefits, including reduced collection costs, enhanced taxpayer experience, and mitigated fraud risks.
The journey towards digitalization began between 2012 and 2013 with the introduction of electronic payments (e-payments) as a replacement for the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) for large payments.
Despite modest adoption initially, significant progress was made by 2020 through collaborations with banks, mobile network providers, and payment integrators, boosting electronic payment transactions to 80%.
The recent implementation of the Integrated Payment System (IPS) in December 2023 marked a pivotal moment, particularly in customs payments, as it introduced multiple mobile platforms such as TaxOnApp,
TaxOnPhone, Customs Portal, TaxOnline Portal, and WhatsApp Payment. This move aimed to make customs payments more accessible and convenient for taxpayers.
Mr. Nzala emphasized the authority’s dedication to process improvements that encourage compliance by leveraging appropriate technology to reduce time and business costs.
He highlighted the closure of most cash offices receiving Domestic Taxes (DOMT) payments, with staff being reassigned to other areas. The ultimate goal is to achieve 100% electronic payments for DOMT and 50% for Customs payments by June 2024.
