ATAF committed to double Africa’s Tax Collections

The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has said it will continue to support revenue administrations in Africa to grow their tax collections.

ATAF’s Executive Secretary, Logan Wort, said this last week during the 5th ATAF Country Correspondents Conference that was held from May 12-14, 2016 at Taj Hotel in Capetown, South Africa.

“We would like to raise tax collections from the current 12-15 percent to 25-26 percent in the next five to six years,” said Wort.

To achieve this he said his organization will offer increased technical support and guidance to revenue administrations and ministries of finance in member countries that will spur revenue growth if adopted.

“There is need to engage the ministries of finance in your respective countries on the various issues which I feel are relevant to your revenue administrations” he added.

Furthermore, Wort hailed the correspondents for being a link between his office and the various African tax administrations.

 “Member countries are the heartbeat of ATAF. I, therefore, thank you for supporting the work of ATAF,’’ he said while urging the correspondents to put the work of ATAF first in all their endeavours.

Amongst the many activities that took place during the workshop, ATAF presented its 3rd strategic plan which is designed to direct the forums activities from the year 2016 to 2022.
 
ATAF is the largest tax forum in Africa. Since its inception in 2009; the institution has offered a wide range of training programmes including online courses and Masters in taxation, among others.

ATAF announced during the conference that it will conduct a workshop on VAT in Malawi in July 2016, if all goes according to plan.

The correspondents conference was attended by over 20 member countries of the forum.

By Emma Mwasinga