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Over 500 tax administrators, experts, and stakeholders from across Africa have gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, for the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) annual meeting. Hosted by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), the conference is Africa’s largest gathering of tax officials, aimed at positioning tax systems as pivotal tools for economic growth, social equity, and sustainability.
The event, themed “Preparing for the Future: Revenue Administration in a Dynamic Global Landscape,”underscores the importance of domestic revenue mobilization (DRM) in fostering economic independence and sustainable development amid the continent’s rising need for development financing.
Key Objectives and Participants
The conference brings together representatives from the African Union (AU), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), business leaders, scholars, and other international stakeholders. These participants will engage in discussions and workshops addressing the challenges and opportunities in strengthening tax governance across Africa.
Focus Areas
Throughout the week, interactive panels and workshops will tackle pressing topics, including:
- Taxing high-net-worth individuals
- Engaging the informal sector
- Leveraging digital tools, such as artificial intelligence and data science, to enhance tax collection efficiency
These sessions aim to deliver actionable solutions for improving tax systems in the face of an evolving global economic landscape.
Closed-Door Sessions
The meeting began on Monday with closed-door sessions for ATAF’s Council, Technical Committees, the African Women in Tax Network, and donor groups. These discussions focused on reviewing progress, identifying challenges, and exploring strategies to strengthen DRM and ATAF’s role in advancing Africa’s tax systems.
Broader Implications
The forum highlights the critical role of tax governance in addressing Africa’s developmental challenges. It aims to foster collaboration between tax experts, revenue authority leaders, finance ministers, and international organizations, encouraging knowledge-sharing and innovation.
Building Sustainable Tax Systems
As a platform for capacity-building, the ATAF annual meeting emphasizes innovation, accountability, and collaboration. It serves as a catalyst for strategies that can enhance tax governance, reduce inequalities, and align tax systems with Africa’s development ambitions.
Stakeholders remain optimistic that the recommendations and strategies developed during the conference will shape the future of revenue administration in Africa, paving the way for robust tax systems capable of sustaining the continent’s growth.
The conference continues through the week, with key outcomes expected to guide the evolution of tax systems across Africa.
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