The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is ramping up efforts to bring digital businesses into the tax net as part of a broader strategy to enhance domestic revenue mobilization.
With a significant portion of commerce shifting online, the GRA has identified the digital economy—comprising social media vendors, e-commerce platforms, and app-based services—as a critical area for tax enforcement and future revenue growth.
Speaking at a recent engagement, Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Sarpong, emphasized the need to modernize tax administration in line with the evolving business landscape.
“Today, many businesses are no longer operating from traditional brick-and-mortar locations. They are fully digital—conducting transactions through social media, websites, and apps,” he noted.
“In Ghana, for instance, a wide range of services are advertised and delivered through platforms like Instagram. The question we must ask is: how do we ensure these businesses are captured within the tax net?”
Sarpong disclosed that the Authority has already launched a programme focused on integrating the digital economy into the national tax system.
He described the move as essential to safeguarding future revenues and ensuring fairness in the tax structure.
“This is the business of the future—and so, the revenue of the future also lies there,” he added.
The announcement comes amid growing pressure from fiscal policy experts who have long called on government agencies to identify new, practical revenue streams.
Many experts have specifically pointed to the digital economy as an untapped area, highlighting the need for regulatory oversight and enforcement.
Additionally, analysts are urging local government authorities to strengthen the collection of property rates and improve compliance among small businesses.
As Ghana seeks to stabilize its public finances and meet development goals, broadening the tax base has become a top policy priority.
The GRA’s initiative signals a clear intent to align revenue mobilization with the realities of the modern, tech-driven economy.
