By G. Watson Richards
The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF), in partnership with the TADAT Secretariat, has launched a five-day regional training workshop aimed at strengthening tax administration systems across West Africa.
The hybrid workshop, taking place in Lagos with both in-person and virtual participation, has brought together tax officials from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Cabo Verde.
The initiative forms part of broader regional efforts to enhance domestic revenue mobilization while promoting transparency, efficiency, and accountability in tax systems.
Speaking at the opening session, Jules Tapsoba underscored the importance of the training in addressing evolving challenges faced by tax administrations.
“TADAT is not just a diagnostic instrument; it is a foundation for informed decision-making and sustained institutional improvement,” he said. “As governments across our region strive to mobilize more domestic resources while improving service delivery and accountability, tools like TADAT become indispensable in guiding reform efforts.”
The training, which runs from April 6 to April 10, is designed to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in applying the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT). Key focus areas include taxpayer registration, compliance, risk management, dispute resolution, and transparency.
Facilitated by experts from both WATAF and the TADAT Secretariat, the programme emphasizes practical learning through real-world assessment simulations. Participants are also receiving training in report writing, conducting evaluation meetings, and utilizing pre-assessment tools essential to the TADAT framework.
WATAF officials say the workshop reflects a sustained commitment to building technical capacity, fostering peer collaboration, and standardizing assessment approaches across member states. These efforts are intended to help countries identify systemic gaps, implement reforms, and improve overall revenue performance.
The West African Tax Administration Forum serves as a platform for cooperation among 16 tax administrations in the region, promoting knowledge sharing and institutional development to strengthen fiscal systems.
