African academics launch Tax Research Network

Business Correspondent
THE inaugural conference of the African Tax Research Network (ATRN), the first of its kind for Africa, will run from next Wednesday to Friday in Cape Town, South Africa.

Academics, researchers, tax policy and administration experts will gather for the three-day conference, running under the theme, “Contemporary Tax Challenges for African Countries.”

The effect of multiple levels of taxation and huge losses in tax revenue collections from evasion and porous borders are some of the drawbacks that have over the years plagued the African continent from growing to its anticipated potential despite being a resource rich continent.

Over 48 academic research papers (in French and English) on a wide range of topics relevant for African policy development to improve taxation on the continent will be presented.

ATRN is a brainchild of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and is the first African-based network of academics and researchers that deals with tax policy, legislation and administration at an academic and policy discussion level.

ATAF media and communications officer, Mr Taungana Ndoro, in a Press Release, said scholars from the University of Nairobi in Kenya, South Africa’s Stellenbosch University, the University of Bambey in Senegal, the University of Rouen in France, the University of South Africa, the National School of Statistics and Applied Economics in Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, the National School of Administration and Magistracy in Benin, amongst others, are scheduled to present.

The conference will also host three panel discussions led by prominent African tax leaders that will discuss illicit financial flows, investing in improved tax systems and financing for sustainable development.

Some of the topics to be presented by global scholars will be on the major drivers of revenue losses on the continent such as illicit financial flows and trade mispricing, how the continent can maximise domestic revenue, how investing in improved tax systems can make a critical difference to improve the nexus between policy and administration in order to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation, promote foreign direct investment, establish transparency and accountability and to improve the standard of living in Africa.

The speakers include the African Union Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Dr Anthony Mothae Maruping, Director of the Macroeconomic Policy Division, United Nations Economic Commission, Dr Adam Elhiraika, Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority, Ms Allen Kagina, the Tax Policy Advisor and Head of Policy Unit of Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Edward Larbi Siaw, Professor Annet Oguttu of the University of South Africa, the Commissioner General of the Revenue Authority in Togo Mr Gaperi Henry, South African Revenue Services Commissioner, Mr Tom Moyane, Commissioner General of Burundi Revenue Authority, Dr Domitien Ndihokubwayo and the Commissioner Tax Investigations of Uganda Revenue Authority, Patrick Mukiibi.

Case studies from various African countries including Burundi, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Togo, Liberia, Zanzibar, Angola, Ethiopia and Tanzania, will also be discussed.

“We have sought out high-quality submissions that further the knowledge and understanding of national, regional and international tax matters,” said ATRN chairperson, Dr Nara Monkam in the press statement.

Dr Monkam chairs a board of academics and researchers from the University of Nairobi in Kenya, South Africa’s Stellenbosch University, the University of Bambey in Senegal, the University of Rouen in France, the University of South Africa, the National School of Statistics and Applied Economics in Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, the National School of Administration and Magistracy in Benin, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Rwanda Tax Authority.

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 was to develop thoughtful leaders in tax matters on the continent and to broaden the base of tax experts.

ATAF is the coordinating body for 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 in Africa.