ATAF CHIEF HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS IN OPENING ADDRESS AT ANNUAL MEETING
Wort also pointed to ATAF's increased technical assistance to its 42 member states, with a focus on key sectors like agriculture, oil, mining and telecommunications.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa— The head of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) highlighted the pan-African organization's achievements over the past year during his opening address at ATAF's annual meeting on Tuesday, writes Winston Mwale.
ATAF Executive Secretary Logan Wort said the group has made significant advancements since launching its five-year strategic plan in 2022 to enhance tax administration and policies across the continent.
"I am happy to announce that significant milestones have been achieved," Wort said to the delegates assembled in Cape Town.
He emphasized ATAF's success in expanding its training programs.
In 2023 alone, the ATAF Tax Academy conducted 11 courses covering topics like risk assessment, data analytics, research methods and more. Nearly 710 participants from member countries were trained, with women representing 50% of attendees.
Wort also pointed to ATAF's increased technical assistance to its 42 member states, with a focus on key sectors like agriculture, oil, mining and telecommunications.
He said these efforts positively impacted countries including Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho and Mozambique.
"Our International Tax team delivered real-time audit and legislative support, as well as comprehensive training to these countries," Wort noted. "The positive outcomes of the audit support missions are evident in the additional tax assessments made during an eight-month period, amounting to $39.2 million."
Another area Wort spotlighted was ATAF's collaboration with organizations like the OECD and World Bank to develop a VAT Digital Toolkit for Africa.
Unveiled in February 2023, the toolkit provides guidance to African tax authorities on formulating and enforcing robust VAT policies for digital trade.
Beyond these concrete initiatives, the ATAF head cited progress in regionalizing operations, promoting gender equality, working with the African Union and ensuring African interests are represented in global tax discussions.
"Although much remains to be done, I must comment our staff members, our member countries that continue to entrust us with this role, our Council who continue to guide us, and our partners who have continued to support us," Wort said.
"Without this community, ATAF would not be the flourishing organization that it is today."
The pan-African group, which held its first council meeting in 2009, aims to foster efficient and effective tax systems across Africa to raise living standards.
The annual meeting in Cape Town runs through Thursday.