Tax research network to be launched in SA

Tax-Time
Brighton Gumbo Business Reporter

IN a first for Africa, academics, researchers, tax policy and administration experts meet in Cape Town, South Africa next week to launch the African Tax Research Network (ATRN). The three-day inaugural event begins on Wednesday under the theme “Contemporary tax challenges for African countries”. About 48 academic research papers (in French and English) will be presented by different speakers covering a wide range of topics relevant for African policy development and improving taxation on the continent. African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) representative, Taungana Ndoro, said some of the topics on schedule would be presented by global scholars focusing on improving domestic revenue on the continent and major drivers of revenue losses on the continent.

“These include illicit financial flows and trade mispricing and how the continent can maximise domestic revenue,” said Ndoro who also works for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. He said investing in enhanced tax systems can make a critical difference in improving the nexus between policy and administration.

Ndoro said participants would discuss how such approaches could “enhance domestic revenue mobilisation, promote foreign direct investment, establish transparency and accountability and improve the standard of living in Africa”. He said the conference would also host three panel discussions led by prominent African tax leaders that would talk about illicit financial flows, investing in improved tax systems and financing for sustainable development.

Among the speakers would be the African Union Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Anthony Mothae Maruping and Adam Elhiraika, the director of the macro-economic policy division in the United Nations Economic Commission.Ndoro said scholars and researchers from France and African universities were expected to participate. He said case studies from various African countries such as Burundi, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Togo, Liberia, Zanzibar, Angola, Ethiopia and Tanzania, would be discussed.

“We’ve sought out high-quality submissions that further the knowledge and understanding of national, regional and international tax matters,” said ATRN chairperson Nara Monkam. Monkam is the board chair of academics and researchers from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and a number of African universities.

ATAF executive secretary, Logan Wort, said the launch of ATRN was an important initiative to promote greater research capacity on matters of taxation in Africa.“One of ATRN’s aims is to develop thought leaders in tax matters on the continent and to broaden the base of tax experts,” said Wort.

The African Tax Administration Forum is the coordinating body of tax issues for 40 member states in Africa. It is a platform to promote mutual cooperation among tax administrations throughout Africa, and works towards developing state building and governance on the continent.

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