Over 500 African Tax Officials Convene in Kigali to Redefine Tax Administration
By Patience Ikpeme
Over 500 tax administrators, experts, and stakeholders from across Africa have convened in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, for the annual meeting of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).
The event marks the largest assembly of tax officials on the continent, as it seeks to address the increasing development financing needs faced by African nations.
The meeting, hosted by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), commenced with a series of closed-door sessions ahead of the highly anticipated official opening scheduled for Tuesday, December 3. This year’s theme, “Preparing for the Future: Revenue Administration in a Dynamic Global Landscape,” emphasizes the essential role of domestic revenue mobilization in fostering economic independence and sustainable development in Africa.
Participants will engage in insightful discussions around innovative solutions to enhance tax collection efficiency. Topics of exploration include the taxation of high-net-worth individuals, tapping into the informal sector, and utilizing advanced digital tools such as artificial intelligence and data science.
Panels featuring esteemed tax experts, finance ministers, and international stakeholders will create an interactive platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout the event. The discussions will highlight the pressing challenges in tax governance and underscore the vital importance of Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) in achieving Africa’s economic self-sufficiency.
The attendees represent a diverse array of organizations, including the African Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, business leaders, and scholars dedicated to enhancing tax governance on the continent. On Monday, critical closed-door meetings were held for ATAF’s Council, Technical Committees, the African Women in Tax Network, and various donor groups to review progress and tackle emerging challenges in DRM.
The Annual Meetings provide a platform for stakeholders to engage in thought-provoking discussions, offering capacity-building workshops and seminars aimed at improving tax administration across Africa. The ATAF Annual Meetings encapsulate a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and accountability among tax authorities, as they strive to redefine the role of tax systems in catalyzing economic growth and reducing inequalities across the continent.
As the discussions unfold in Kigali, the future of tax governance in Africa is set to take a transformative turn, equipping nations with the tools needed to navigate an increasingly dynamic global economic landscape.
