AUC, ATAF deepen tax cooperation

AUC, ATAF deepen tax cooperation
Swat Bako, Abuja.

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation on domestic resource mobilisation to help African countries improve tax collection and finance sustainable development.

The commitment was made during a meeting at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where ATAF Council Chair, Dr Johnston Makhubu, met with the AUC Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, H.E. Francisca Belobe.

Both organisations agreed to expand collaboration on African-led tax policy initiatives aimed at boosting revenue generation, improving tax compliance and tackling illicit financial flows across the continent.

A key focus of the discussions was the Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters (AMATM), which allows African tax authorities to cooperate through information sharing, tax collection assistance and joint tax examinations to combat cross-border tax evasion.

The meeting also highlighted the ATAF Model Double Taxation Agreement as a tool to help African countries negotiate tax treaties that better protect their taxing rights and development priorities.

The AUC and ATAF will now work to renew their Memorandum of Understanding and develop a new work plan to strengthen cooperation on tax policy, administration, treaty matters and the taxation of strategic sectors across Africa.