BUSINESS REPORTER
The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) have strengthened cooperation on tax policy and improving tax administration aimed at mobilising domestic resources in Africa and achieving Agenda 2063.
The two organisation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday which will see the duo work on rolling out the work plans of strategies to combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) and bring the African voice on tax matters to global discussions.
The signing ceremony done by Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining at the African Union Commission, Logan Wort, the Executive Secretary of ATAF, took place during the 2nd Meeting of the Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning & Integration Subcommittee on Tax at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“I am delighted that we will be in a position to continue the work of combatting IFFs, increasing revenue collection for achieving Agenda 2063 and building effective revenue systems across the continent,” Wort said.
“This is a momentous occasion in bringing tax issues to a political level while providing practical solutions tailored for African countries.”
The MoU has also paved the way for the setting up of an ATAF Desk at the AUC, housed in the Commission for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining.
Muchanga noted that the objectives of revenue mobilisation on the continent would be realised with a coordinated effort.
As a matter of urgency, ATAF and the AUC will be convening a meeting to discuss the going global tax discussions to inform and update Member States on the evolution of the UN Tax Convention and the upcoming OECD Inclusive Framework Meeting in July 2023.
The ATAF delegation is participating in a series of sessions during a three-day meeting of experts from Ministries of Finance and tax administrations under the Specialised Technical Committee on Monetary Affairs, Finance, Planning and Integration of the African Union.
The meeting will provide experts from the continent the opportunity to input into issues such as domestic minimum top-up tax, cross-border VAT and e-commerce, and the United Nations Resolution on a Convention for International Tax Cooperation.
