The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) has signed a long-term Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), marking a major step toward strengthening domestic revenue systems and institutional capacity across West Africa.
Signed in Pretoria, South Africa, the agreement positions WATAF to scale its support to member countries through more coordinated, efficient, and results-driven interventions. It reinforces WATAF’s leadership role in advancing regional tax cooperation while aligning West Africa more closely with continental efforts to enhance domestic resource mobilization.
For revenue administrations across the region, the partnership delivers clear and practical value. It expands access to specialized technical expertise in tax policy and administration, strengthens capacity-building programs and promotes structured peer learning across jurisdictions. It also supports the development of robust, data-driven insights on revenue performance, enabling countries to design more effective reforms and improve compliance and collection outcomes.
The collaboration will further enhance coordinated technical assistance and joint program delivery, reducing duplication and ensuring that support is better targeted to country needs. Priority areas are expected to include policy design, revenue optimization strategies, and emerging tax challenges, supported by evidence from regional research initiatives such as the ongoing Regional Tax Outlook.
Highlighting the operational value of the partnership, Mary Baine, Executive Secretary of ATAF, noted that the agreement strengthens the ability of both organizations to deliver tailored support to the region. “We are delighted to sign this lifetime MoC with WATAF that will ensure we jointly serve our members in the West Africa region. The partnership will also provide insights into tax trends and developments in the region and allow us to tailor precise program that respond to regional needs.”
From WATAF’s perspective, the agreement significantly strengthens its capacity to coordinate regional efforts and amplify the voice of West African tax administrations in continental and global tax discourse. It also enhances the region’s ability to address shared challenges, including illicit financial flows and evolving international tax dynamics.
“This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening cooperation among tax administrations in West Africa. Through this collaboration with ATAF, WATAF reaffirms its commitment to enhancing capacity across its member administrations and promoting coherent and effective tax systems in the region. It also creates an important opportunity to ensure that the perspectives and priorities of West African countries are effectively represented in continental tax discussions,” said Jules Tapsoba, Executive Secretary of WATAF.
ATAF and WATAF, which together represent more than 16 African revenue administrations, have maintained a productive partnership since 2015. This collaboration has already produced tangible outcomes, including the ongoing development of the Regional Tax Outlook, a flagship initiative designed to generate actionable insights for tax policy and administration in West Africa.
By formalizing this long-term cooperation, WATAF is strengthening its ability to support member countries in building resilient, efficient, and modern tax systems. The partnership positions revenue administrations across West Africa to accelerate reform, improve revenue performance, and contribute more effectively to sustainable development and fiscal sovereignty across the region.
