Author: Chester Smith

IPNEWS The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF), in partnership with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), has successfully held the first phase of its two-part Regional Executive and Technical Master Class on Taxation of the Digital Economy. The Virtual Executive Workshop, convened on 25 February 2026, brought together more than 100 Commissioners-General, senior tax administrators, policymakers, and technical experts from across West Africa. A three-day in-person technical training is scheduled for May 2026. At the center of the high-level deliberations was a compelling presentation by Dr. Lyla Latif, Public Finance and Technology Governance Law Specialist, who facilitated the session…

IPNEWS: The corridors of the Kakata City Hall filled with the sound of greetings, pulled-back chairs, and the quiet anticipation of something significant. Government institutions, development partners, and civil society organizations convened for a highlevel validation workshop marking a major milestone in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its biodiversity finance architecture. Liberia stands at a pivotal moment. Its forests, rivers, and ecosystems remain among the richest and most diverse in West Africa, yet the financial systems meant to protect them are stretched thin and in need of reform. The oneday session focused on validating the NaturePositive and NatureHarmful Subsidies and Incentives…