The collaboration aims to give tax authorities in Africa a better understanding of how tax systems can be enhanced to maximise revenue mobilisation

Business School marks ‘bold collaboration’ to improve tax systems in Africa

Improving Africa’s tax systems is the goal of a newly-signed Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Exeter Business School’s Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).

The three-year collaboration will establish a working relationship in which the two organisations will aim to improve the understanding of policymakers and practitioners in tax authorities of how tax systems can be enhanced to meet the overarching goal of maximising revenues mobilisation on the continent.

ATAF, which counts 74% of Africa’s tax authorities as members, aims to improve tax systems by increasing the accountability of the State to its citizens and by fostering inclusive economic growth. 

TARC, founded in 2013, publishes world leading research in tax, tax administration and policy that addresses the major challenges and priorities facing policymakers and tax authorities across the world.

Professor Christos Kotsogiannis, Director of the University of Exeter Business School's Tax Administration Research Centre, hailed the partnership and said both organisations recognise that sharing expertise and knowledge can yield huge benefits to society.

“Collaborative knowledge production constitutes the only viable strategy in the face of the challenges presented to society,” said Professor Kotsogiannis.

“The bold ambition of the collaboration with ATAF is not only to identify those challenges but, importantly, to propose viable solutions that address them, thereby improving much needed revenue mobilization in Africa.”

Date: 5 January 2022