BY COBHAM NSA – The Executive Secretary of the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF), Mr. Jules Tapsoba, has saluted Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Senegal for implementing robust, forward-thinking reforms to effective tax digital services and online economic activities.
He said it is heartwarming that these national governments are setting a new benchmark and successfully mobilizing the revenue needed to thrive in the modern digital age.
According to him, with the global economy becoming increasingly digitized, leaving billions in untaxed revenue on the table is no longer an option, adding WATAF is collaborating with the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) to explore support for the development of regional tools, guides, or applications designed to aggressively tax the digital economy,and bridge the dangerous gap between tax and customs authorities.
Speaking as one of the panelists at the 11th Africa Tax Symposium held in Rabat, Morocco, from June 3–5, 2026, Mr Tapsoba aside from working to close historic revenue loopholes within the financial system, WATAF’s role also extends to promoting training programmes, technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning, knowledge-sharing platforms, research, and strategic partnerships.
He further said the Forum is actively supporting member administrations in building the skills, systems, and institutional capacities required to respond to emerging technological and fiscal challenges, noting that while technology offers tremendous opportunities, it also presents new challenges that demand sustained commitment to workforce development, organizational capacity, and regional collaboration
While reaffirming WATAF’s commitment to helping member countries navigate existing and emerging challenges, he said the Forum will continue to position itself as a key regional partner supporting member countries in adapting to the rapidly evolving tax landscape and building future-ready revenue institutions.
Mr Tapsoba, who noted that West African tax authorities are actively embracing digital solutions to enhance compliance, stop leakages, and broaden the tax base, said member states have rolled out integrated systems, e-invoicing, electronic VAT, and online taxpayer portals, even as he acknowledged that while implementation speeds differ by nation, the overall transition is successfully driving regional tax efficiency and transparency
The symposium, organized by the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD), brought together tax commissioners, directors general, policymakers, academics, development partners, and tax professionals from across Africa and beyond to discuss emerging trends in international taxation and the future of tax administration.
With the theme, “The Tax Administration of the Future: Modernization and Reform for the Next Decade,” the WATAF Chief joined senior tax and development experts from the Rwanda Revenue Authority, the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA), the United Nations, IBFD, and other international institutions to examine how technology, digitalization, and innovation are reshaping tax administration globally and across Africa.
Considered thecontinent-wide forum for international tax discussions, the Africa Tax Symposium 2026 edition focused on digitalization, AI, transfer pricing, global tax governance, trade, and the future of tax administration.
The event also witnessed WATAF boss receiving an award honouring his efforts to strengthen regional tax systems and boost domestic revenue mobilization. The award recognized WATAF as a leading regional platform for tax modernization, capacity building, and domestic revenue mobilization. It also commended the Forum’s active role in shaping international and regional tax discussion.
Accepting the award, Mr Tapsoba dedicated it to the Forum’s members and partners, crediting their collective work in advancing regional tax reforms and resource mobilization.
