WATAF Advocates for VAT Digitization in West Africa

On April 21, 2026, the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) convened a high-level regional forum in Abidjan, organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The forum emphasized the urgent need for digitization of Value Added Tax (VAT) systems across West Africa to improve revenue mobilization and economic growth.

Mr. Jule Tapsoba, the Executive Secretary of WATAF, highlighted that the inefficiencies of the current tax systems limit compliance and contribute to revenue leakage.

He noted that VAT remains a significant source of domestic revenue for West African countries, yet structural challenges hinder its full potential. The forum discussed ongoing reforms and the impact of technology-driven tax systems, including online taxpayer registration and electronic invoicing.

Ms. Elin Okudzeto, Chief Governance Officer at AfDB, stressed the importance of cross-border VAT cooperation.

The forum concluded with a call for member states to align their national VAT frameworks with ECOWAS directives and adopt a harmonized digital approach by January 2027.