Monrovia– The seventh Excessive-Stage Coverage Dialogue and twenty first Normal Meeting of the West African Tax Administration Discussion board (WATAF) has concluded in Freetown with a robust name from Liberia Income Authority (LRA) Commissioner Normal, James Dorbor Jallah, for efficient, clear, and equitable tax programs as essentially the most dependable means to spice up Home Useful resource Mobilization (DRM) and finance Africa’s improvement aspirations.
In his closing assertion, Commissioner Normal Jallah counseled the fruitful deliberations, describing taxation as a pillar of sovereignty, good governance, and inclusive development. “The discussions right here have reaffirmed that taxation just isn’t merely a technical train however a cornerstone of sovereignty, good governance, and inclusive improvement,” he stated.
CG Jallah underscored that efficient, clear, and equitable tax programs should stay central to Africa’s improvement agenda, including, “As we depart Freetown, allow us to carry with us a shared conviction: that by standing collectively, strengthening our establishments, and deepening collaboration, we will construct tax programs that not solely increase income but additionally encourage belief and gasoline the transformation of our nations.”
Key Outcomes of the Dialogue
The weeklong convention, held below the theme “Financing Improvement Via Efficient Tax Techniques,” introduced collectively policymakers, tax directors, civil society, non-public sector representatives, and worldwide companions. The end result assertion, delivered by WATAF Government Secretary Jules Tapsoba, highlighted the urgency of scaling up DRM within the face of declining donor help.
Delegates pressured the necessity for thorough diagnostics to handle inefficiencies, weak institutional capability, and low compliance, whereas pushing for stronger collaboration with the non-public sector and reforms in Public Monetary Administration to make sure accountability and monetary self-discipline.
Institutional strengthening and digitization emerged as prime priorities, with individuals calling for the empowerment of tax officers, legislators, and the judiciary to make sure efficient tax legal guidelines, enforcement, and dispute decision. The adoption of e-invoicing, cellular cost platforms, and frameworks for taxing the digital financial system was described as important for compliance, effectivity, and transparency. Peer studying and regional cooperation have been inspired to speed up reforms and keep away from pricey errors.
Equity, Belief, and Citizen Engagement
Delegates emphasised that tax morale is constructed on equity and transparency. Residents are extra keen to conform when governments display accountability in using public assets. Civil society and the media have been acknowledged as key companions in making certain equity and inclusivity, whereas taxpayer schooling and open communication have been described as important to shut the knowledge hole and strengthen belief.
The casual sector, which dominates many African economies, obtained robust consideration. Members urged governments to design insurance policies that combine the sector into the tax internet with out overburdening weak teams. The main focus, they argued, ought to shift towards Excessive-Web-Price People, alongside measures reminiscent of tax stamps to curb smuggling.
The Dialogue additionally pressured the necessity to monitor tax incentives rigorously, making certain exemptions and holidays obtain improvement targets with out undermining income bases. Secure, predictable, and clear tax insurance policies have been underscored as vital for attracting non-public funding, with integrity and accountability on the coronary heart of efficient income administrations.
Closing Reflections
WATAF Council Chair, Talato Eliane Djiguemde-Ouedraogo, Director Normal of the Income Authority of Burkina Faso, described the Dialogue as well timed and productive, producing a working paper that administrations, governments, and stakeholders ought to advance to spice up DRM throughout West Africa.
She emphasised that the outcomes align with Imaginative and prescient 2050, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Improvement Objectives, and urged collective motion to unlock billions in untapped income.
“Tax administrations of the area function in a fancy setting, however with political will, institutional dedication, and personal sector belief, we will rework the long run,” she remarked.
The WATAF Council Chair thanked the host, the Nationwide Income Authority of Sierra Leone, together with panelists, improvement companions, and individuals for the robust collaboration that produced beneficial outcomes which have to be taken significantly to attain the specified outcomes.
Requires Better Authorities Assist
A serious consensus rising from the Dialogue was the pressing name for governments and finance ministries throughout the area to extend funding and help for income authorities.
Audio system insisted that income administrations needs to be seen not as value facilities however as funding prospects—establishments whose modernization and empowerment straight decide how a lot income nations can mobilize.
The message was clear: the extra governments spend money on their income authorities; the extra income might be collected to finance sustainable nationwide improvement.
Because the convention ended, this name resonated powerfully, underlining the shared willpower of West African tax leaders to construct resilient, clear, and equitable programs that can drive inclusive development and cut back dependence on exterior support.
