ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Executive Secretary of the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF), Mr. Jules Tapsoba, has held high-level discussions with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Traore Kalilou, aimed at advancing West Africa’s domestic revenue mobilization agenda, regional tax harmonization, and collective response to emerging global tax reforms.
The strategic meeting took place Tuesday at the Ivorian Embassy in Abuja and focused on strengthening regional cooperation among tax administrations, enhancing fiscal sustainability across West Africa, and reinforcing institutional partnerships to support development financing amid declining donor assistance globally.
WATAF Pushes Regional Tax Coordination
During the engagement, Mr. Tapsoba provided an overview of WATAF’s mandate and strategic role as a regional body comprising 16 member countries across West Africa, including Mauritania.
He emphasized WATAF’s commitment to strengthening tax and customs administration through capacity building, technical assistance, policy dialogue, and knowledge sharing aimed at improving domestic revenue mobilization throughout the region.
According to the WATAF Executive Secretary, the Forum continues to champion a coordinated regional approach to emerging international tax issues and global tax reforms while protecting West Africa’s taxing rights within the evolving global fiscal environment.
Mr. Tapsoba also disclosed that WATAF is intensifying efforts to secure broader representation in international tax policy discussions, particularly at the United Nations level, in order to amplify the collective voice and interests of West African countries on global taxation matters.
Fifteen Years of Regional Tax Reform
Highlighting the Forum’s achievements since its establishment in 2011, Mr. Tapsoba said WATAF has played a critical role in advancing tax harmonization, strengthening institutional capacity, combating tax evasion and illicit financial flows, and helping member states address modern taxation challenges, including the taxation of the digital economy.
He commended Côte d’Ivoire for its consistent support and constructive engagement with the Forum, describing the country as one of WATAF’s exemplary and committed member states.
The Executive Secretary further called for deeper collaboration between WATAF and Côte d’Ivoire in advancing regional fiscal and economic integration across West Africa.
As a gesture of appreciation and institutional partnership, Mr. Tapsoba presented WATAF souvenirs and branded materials to Ambassador Kalilou following the meeting.
The WATAF delegation also included the Forum’s Manager for Administration, Mr. Francis Ezeji; Finance Manager, Ms. Azibator Deborah Obudah; and Manager for Communication and IT, Mr. Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh.
Ambassador Kalilou Calls for Stronger Institutional Support
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Kalilou described the engagement as timely and important while commending WATAF for the significant technical work it continues to undertake across the region.
The Ivorian diplomat stressed the strategic importance of taxation to economic growth, fiscal stability, and national development, noting that effective tax systems remain central to sustainable governance and public sector financing in West Africa.
He also emphasized the importance of regional tax harmonization, particularly regarding Value Added Tax (VAT), describing harmonized fiscal frameworks as essential to regional trade, economic integration, and private sector growth.
Drawing from his experience within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Kalilou suggested that WATAF could further strengthen its impact through enhanced engagement with Finance Ministers across member states.
According to him, such engagement would deepen political support, institutional ownership, and regional commitment toward strengthening tax and customs administration throughout West Africa.
Strengthening West Africa’s Fiscal Future
The meeting forms part of WATAF’s broader strategic outreach aimed at strengthening institutional partnerships, expanding regional and international engagement, and enhancing the ability of West African countries to mobilize domestic resources for sustainable development.
WATAF currently maintains growing collaboration with several regional and international institutions, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Development Bank (AfDB), African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Open Society Foundations, and Afreximbank.
These partnerships are geared toward strengthening domestic revenue mobilization, improving fiscal governance, and supporting economic resilience across West Africa at a time when many countries are confronting declining donor support and increasing global economic pressures.
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