KIGALI, Sept. 24 — African officials and tax experts have called for stronger use of evidence-based research to shape effective tax policies, improve tax administration and unlock Africa’s domestic revenue potential.
The call was made Tuesday in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, during the ongoing 11th Annual Congress of the African Tax Research Network (ATRN). Speaking at the opening of the congress, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa underscored the importance of evidence-based research in shaping effective tax policy and strengthening domestic resource mobilisation across Africa. Murangwa said ATAF provides a platform for Africa’s revenue administrations to learn from one another, speak with one voice in international tax rule-making and build the technical capacity required to strengthen domestic resource mobilization. Annet Oguttu, chair of the ATRN advisory board, also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the growing body of African tax research reaches policymakers and tax administrators who can translate evidence into practical policies and effective tax administration. She called for Africa’s tax research agenda to increasingly reflect the continent’s own priorities and realities, stressing the importance of connecting research with the practical challenges facing African countries. Held under the theme “Contemporary Taxation Issues in Africa,” the congress is organized by the Rwanda Revenue Authority in partnership with the African Tax Administration Forum through the ATRN program.It comes as African countries face increasing pressure to raise domestic revenues while addressing rising development needs, changing external financing conditions, rapid digitalization and an evolving international tax system, according to organizers.
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