The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) will hold its 8th High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) and 23rd General Assembly in Accra from September 15 to 19, 2026, bringing together tax administrators, policymakers and development partners from across the region as the organisation marks its 15th anniversary.
The events, to be hosted by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), are expected to focus on strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and building more resilient tax administrations amid growing fiscal pressures, digital transformation and evolving global tax reforms.
Under the theme “Building Stronger Tax Administrations for Revenue Mobilisation and Sustainable Development,” the dialogue will provide a platform for discussions on tax policy, innovation, regional cooperation and practical measures to improve revenue collection across West Africa.
Participants are expected to include finance ministers, commissioners-general and directors-general of tax administrations, development partners, and representatives of regional organisations, academics, private sector actors and international tax experts.
The gathering comes at a time when many governments in West Africa are seeking new ways to finance development programmes amid economic uncertainty, climate financing demands and changing international tax rules.
According to WATAF, the policy dialogue will offer an opportunity for regional leaders to exchange experiences and identify reforms aimed at strengthening tax administration and supporting sustainable development through enhanced domestic revenue mobilisation.
Established in 2011, WATAF has grown into one of Africa’s leading regional tax administration networks, promoting cooperation, peer learning and knowledge sharing among member tax authorities.
The organisation says it has trained more than 5,000 tax officials, commissioners-general, directors-general and senior tax executives over the past 15 years.
Between 2024 and mid-2026, WATAF delivered 26 regional training programmes that reached nearly 2,000 tax officials. In 2025 alone, the forum trained 907 officials, surpassing its annual target by 58 percent.
A further 480 officials participated in specialised programmes during the first half of 2026, including training on the digital economy and the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT).
WATAF also reports significant progress in expanding partnerships with regional and international institutions. Since 2022, it has established collaborations with more than 10 strategic organisations and secured over eight memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements supporting tax administration reforms, digital transformation and domestic revenue mobilisation.
Its partners include ECOWAS, UEMOA, the African Union, African Development Bank, African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), World Bank, UN DESA, African Capacity Building Foundation and the Islamic Development Bank.
WATAF Executive Secretary Jules Tapsoba said the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s achievements while charting a course for the future.
“Fifteen years ago, WATAF was established on the belief that stronger cooperation would build stronger tax administrations. Today, that vision is reflected in thousands of tax officials trained, stronger regional partnerships, growing institutional influence and a shared commitment to helping our member countries mobilise the domestic revenues needed for sustainable development,” he said.
WATAF Chairperson and Director General of Taxes of Burkina Faso, Eliane Talato Djiguemde, said the forum’s progress demonstrates the benefits of cooperation among tax administrations.
She said the region must continue to strengthen collaboration, embrace innovation and invest in institutions and human capital to improve domestic revenue mobilisation.
GRA Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong described Ghana’s hosting of the event as a reflection of the country’s commitment to regional cooperation and stronger tax systems.
“Ghana is honoured to host WATAF’s 8th High-Level Policy Dialogue and 23rd General Assembly as the events coincide with fifteen years since the Forum’s establishment,” he said.
The week-long programme will feature discussions on leadership, regional cooperation, digital transformation, environmental fiscal policy, taxpayer compliance and the future of tax administration in West Africa.
WATAF’s 23rd General Assembly will also bring together its 15 member tax administrations to review progress, consider strategic priorities and deepen institutional collaboration.
A Development Partners and Donors Roundtable is additionally planned to strengthen engagement with development institutions and support future tax administration reforms across the region.
As it enters its next phase, WATAF says it will continue focusing on regional cooperation, strategic partnerships and supporting member administrations in building modern and innovative tax systems capable of financing sustainable development.
Source: businesspostonline
