By G. Watson Richards
Efforts to strengthen tax systems across West Africa gained momentum this week as the West African Tax Administration Forum concluded a major regional training program aimed at improving revenue collection and institutional capacity among member states.
The week-long training held in Lagos and delivered in a hybrid format, brought together more than 270 tax officials from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Cabo Verde. The program focused on the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT), a globally recognized framework for evaluating and improving tax administration performance.
Strengthening Systems for Growth
Closing the training, WATAF Executive Secretary Jules Tapsoba emphasized the importance of sustained capacity building in driving economic development across the region.
“This training is not an end in itself, but part of a continuous process to equip our tax administrations with the tools and knowledge required to perform effectively,” Tapsoba said.
He stressed that stronger tax systems are essential for mobilizing domestic resources needed to support infrastructure, public services, and long-term economic growth.
Regional Collaboration Key
Participants described the training as both timely and practical, highlighting its relevance in addressing ongoing challenges in tax administration. Officials from several countries noted that the program enhanced their understanding of TADAT methodologies and how to apply them to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
Tapsoba also underscored the importance of collaboration between WATAF and international partners, particularly the TADAT Secretariat, in advancing reform efforts across member states.
Focus on Practical Impact
The training concluded with an assessment designed to measure participants’ readiness to apply the knowledge gained, ensuring that the initiative delivers tangible institutional improvements rather than purely theoretical insights.
Organizers said the approach reflects a growing emphasis on results-driven capacity building in public financial management across West Africa.
Next Phase Announced
Building on the success of the program, WATAF announced that a second phase of the training will soon be launched for French-speaking member countries, expanding the reach of the initiative across the region.
The organization said the move reinforces its commitment to inclusive capacity development and stronger regional integration in tax administration.
Driving Revenue Mobilization
As governments across West Africa face increasing pressure to finance development priorities, strengthening domestic revenue systems has become a central policy objective.
WATAF’s latest training marks another step toward building resilient, transparent, and efficient tax administrations capable of supporting sustainable economic growth across the region.
The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) promotes cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge sharing among tax authorities to enhance revenue mobilization and improve tax system performance across West Africa.
