WATAF Opens Regional Tax Meeting in Accra

ACCRA, GHANA —  Tax authorities from across West Africa are meeting in Accra, Ghana, as the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) begins a week of discussions on improving domestic revenue collection and strengthening tax systems across the region.

The discussions opened Tuesday with the 23rd WATAF Council Meeting, ahead of the Forum’s 8th High-Level Policy Dialogue and 23rd General Assembly.

Hosted by the Ghana Revenue Authority, the broader gathering runs from September 15 to 19 under the theme, “Building Stronger Tax Administrations for Revenue Mobilisation and Sustainable Development.”

About 300 delegates are expected to attend the high-level policy dialogue, which officially opens Wednesday, September 16.

WATAF Council Chairperson and Director General of the Burkina Faso Revenue Authority, Talato Eliane Djiguemdé-Ouédraogo, said the meeting provides an opportunity for tax administrations to assess progress, confront challenges and identify practical ways to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation.

She said the discussions are taking place at a critical time, as countries across West Africa look for more sustainable ways to finance national development while responding to changes in the regional and global tax environment.

WATAF Executive Secretary Jules Tapsoba said the Council Meeting will also address key governance and institutional issues affecting the Forum’s Secretariat and the implementation of its programmes.

The Council brings together heads of member tax administrations and provides strategic oversight of WATAF’s programmes, plans and budgets, while helping translate decisions of the General Assembly into practical action.

The Accra gathering will further examine issues including digital transformation, taxpayer compliance, environmental taxation, regional cooperation, inclusive tax systems and emerging international tax reforms.

The discussions are also expected to focus on how tax administrations can adapt to digitalisation, changing business models and evolving international tax rules while improving revenue collection.

WATAF says strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation remains important as West African countries seek resources to support infrastructure, education, healthcare, social protection and other development priorities.

The Forum is also marking its 15th anniversary this year, creating an opportunity to assess its contribution to regional tax cooperation since its establishment in 2011.

Over the past 15 years, WATAF says it has trained more than 5,000 tax officials and senior tax executives across the region.

Between 2024 and mid-2026, the Forum delivered 26 regional training programmes involving more than 2,365 tax officials, alongside peer-learning and knowledge-sharing activities among member administrations.

The Council’s deliberations will feed into the wider policy dialogue and General Assembly, where tax authorities and other stakeholders are expected to consider practical measures for building stronger and more resilient tax administrations across West Africa.