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Tag: African Tax Administration Forum

  • Nigeria’s Zacch Adedeji elected to African tax administration forum council

    Nigeria’s Zacch Adedeji elected to African tax administration forum council

    Zacch Adedeji, Nigeria’s chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has been elected as a council member of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).

    Adedeji joins nine other heads of national tax administrations in the council, tasked with strengthening tax governance and driving sustainable economic development across the continent.

    The election took place during ATAF’s General Assembly, where member nations voted in a keenly contested process. 

    The new council marks a fresh chapter in ATAF’s mission to enhance tax systems and regional collaboration.

    South Africa was elected as the Chair of ATAF, with Namibia taking the Vice Chair position. Other council members include tax administration heads from Rwanda, Morocco, Uganda, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, and Botswana.

    In his inaugural address, Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner for the South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) and the newly elected Chair of ATAF, stressed the importance of collaboration and innovation. 

    “We are committed to fostering transparency and delivering the strategic leadership necessary to achieve sustainable development goals for the continent. Together, we will ensure that African tax administrations are equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” Kieswetter stated.

    The outgoing Chair, Dr. Philippe Tchodie, Commissioner General of the Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR), expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure. 

    Read Also: Zacch Adedeji and the Tax Reform Bills

    He said, “It has been an honour to serve this organisation. I am confident that the new council will build on our collective achievements to further ATAF’s mission and strengthen tax systems across Africa.”

    The new council has pledged to prioritize ATAF’s role in enhancing regional collaboration and equipping African nations to mobilize resources effectively. This includes strengthening tax systems to support economic growth and the delivery of critical public services.

    Adedeji’s election to the council underscores Nigeria’s influence in shaping tax policies and governance in Africa and furthering efforts to ensure robust resource mobilization across the continent. Babatumde Fowler and Mohammed Nami have been past Chairs of ATAF.

  • African tax leaders meet in Kigali to boost revenue systems

    African tax leaders meet in Kigali to boost revenue systems

    Over 500 African tax administrators, experts, and stakeholders have convened in Kigali for the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) annual meeting, marking the continent’s largest gathering of tax officials. 

    Hosted by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), the event aims to redefine tax systems as key drivers of economic growth, social equity, and sustainability amidst Africa’s increasing development financing needs.

    Under the theme “Preparing for the Future: Revenue Administration in a Dynamic Global Landscape,” the conference hopes to show the critical role of domestic revenue mobilization (DRM) in achieving economic independence and sustainable development across Africa. 

    The meeting, which began with a series of closed-door sessions on Monday, will officially open on Tuesday, December 3.

    Participants include representatives from the African Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), business leaders, and scholars, all dedicated to advancing tax governance across the continent.

    Panels and workshops throughout the week will explore innovative solutions to enhance tax collection efficiency and discussions will look at: taxing high-net-worth individuals; engaging the informal sector and leveraging digital tools like artificial intelligence and data science.

    These sessions will identify actionable solutions to the challenges posed by Africa’s dynamic global economic environment.

    The initial closed-door meetings on Monday included sessions for ATAF’s Council, Technical Committees, African Women in Tax Network, and donor groups. These discussions reviewed progress, identified challenges, and explored prospects for strengthening DRM and ATAF’s role in supporting African tax systems.

    The meeting will address pressing challenges in tax governance, noting the importance of DRM as a foundation for Africa’s sustainable development. Panels will feature interactive dialogues among tax experts, heads of revenue authorities, finance ministers, and international stakeholders, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

    The ATAF Annual Meetings represent a critical platform for capacity-building workshops, seminars, and thought-provoking discussions. ATAF’s focus on innovation, collaboration, and accountability reinforces its commitment to improving tax governance across Africa.

    As the conference unfolds, stakeholders are optimistic that the insights and strategies developed in Kigali will pave the way for robust tax systems that can sustain Africa’s development ambitions and reduce inequalities.

    The forum continues through the week, with key recommendations expected to shape the future of revenue administration in Africa.

  • ATAF unveils guide to help African nations boost tax revenue

    ATAF unveils guide to help African nations boost tax revenue

    The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has taken steps to strengthen tax collection across the continent with the launch of a new guide on Voluntary Disclosure Programmes (VDPs). 

     This initiative addresses the critical need for African nations to “enhance revenue generation” by providing practical tools to encourage tax compliance.

    The “ATAF Guide on Implementation of Voluntary Disclosure Programme” offers comprehensive guidance for African tax authorities on establishing and implementing VDPs.  These programmes provide a framework for “non-compliant taxpayers to regularize their tax affairs voluntarily.” 

     By encouraging disclosure of previously undeclared income and assets, VDPs can lead to  “significant disclosures of foreign assets” and  “substantial increases in tax revenues.”

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    The guide draws on successful VDP implementations in ATAF member countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.  These case studies highlight the tangible benefits of VDPs, like: increased identification of undisclosed foreign assets; significant growth in tax revenue collection and expansion of the formal tax base through improved compliance

     The ATAF guide offers  “the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of revenue collection” by providing insights into: the benefits and costs of VDPs; key policy design choices and practical considerations for implementation.

    The guide includes a  “Suggested Approach to Drafting VDP legislation” that African countries can adapt to their specific circumstances.  It is designed to be a  “simple and practical tool” with explanatory notes to assist lawmakers and tax administrations.  The guide addresses key considerations for the African context, such as eligibility criteria for participation in VDPs; programme duration and confidentiality protocols.

    Mr. Logan Wort, Executive Secretary of ATAF, emphasized the importance of the new guide, stating  “We believe that this guide will serve as a valuable resource for African tax administrations, empowering them to implement effective VDPs tailored to their unique contexts.”

    The launch of the VDP guide aligns with ATAF’s broader strategy to address the issue of tax evasion, a major contributor to  “illicit financial flows” from Africa.  By equipping tax authorities with practical tools and fostering knowledge sharing, ATAF aims to  “support African tax administrations in navigating the evolving landscape of revenue mobilization.”  Ultimately, this initiative seeks to  “foster sustainable revenue generation across the African continent.”