Abuja, Nigeria – The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) is all set to convene its 8th High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) and 23rd General Assembly in Accra, Ghana, from 15–19 September 2026. The flagship events will coincide with the Forum’s 15th anniversary.
Hosted by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the annual HLPD and General Assembly will bring together Finance Ministers, Commissioners General and Directors General of Tax Administrations, development partners, policymakers, regional organisations, academics, private-sector representatives and international tax experts. The annual gathering will explore practical solutions for strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and building more resilient tax administrations across West Africa.
Held under the theme, “Building Stronger Tax Administrations for Revenue Mobilisation and Sustainable Development,” the HLPD will provide a strategic platform for examining emerging tax policy challenges, promoting innovation, strengthening regional cooperation and identifying practical solutions that support sustainable development through stronger domestic revenue mobilisation.
The events come at a defining moment for tax administrations across West Africa as governments seek innovative and sustainable ways to finance development amid economic uncertainty, rapid digital transformation, climate finance demands and evolving international tax reforms. Against this backdrop, the Dialogue will provide an opportunity for regional leaders to shape the next generation of tax administration reforms through collaboration, innovation and shared experience.
Fifteen Years of Regional Impact
Since its establishment in 2011, WATAF has evolved into one of Africa’s leading regional tax administration networks, promoting peer learning, institutional cooperation and knowledge exchange among member tax administrations.
Over the past fifteen years, the Forum has trained more than 5,000 tax officials, Commissioners General, Directors General and senior tax executives, helping to strengthen institutional capacity across West Africa. Between 2024 and mid-2026 alone, WATAF delivered 26 regional training programmes, directly reaching more than 2,365 tax officials.
In 2025, the Forum trained 907 officials, exceeding its annual target by 58 percent, while specialised programmes delivered so far in 2026 reached more than 875 officials, including through training on the digital economy and the internationally recognised Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT). These training and capacity-building programmes have contributed to strengthening tax systems and boosting revenue growth in member countries.
Beyond capacity development, WATAF has significantly expanded its regional and international partnerships. Since 2022, the Forum has strengthened collaboration with more than ten strategic regional and global institutions, secured more than eight Memoranda of Understanding and institutional cooperation agreements, and mobilised technical partnerships supporting tax administration reforms, digital transformation, regional integration and domestic revenue mobilisation across West Africa.
Today, WATAF works closely with institutions including ECOWAS, UEMOA, the African Union, the African Development Bank, ATAF, CIAT, the World Bank, UN DESA, the African Capacity Building Foundation, the Islamic Development Bank and other regional and international organisations. These collaborations reinforce West Africa’s voice in global tax policy discussions while supporting stronger tax systems across the region.
Speaking ahead of the event, WATAF Executive Secretary, Mr. Jules Tapsoba, said the 15-year milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on WATAF’s progress and shape its 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. The next fifteen years must take us even further.”
WATAF Council Chairperson and Director General of Taxes of Burkina Faso, Ms. Talato Eliane Djiguemdé-Ouédraogo, described the Dialogue as an important opportunity to deepen regional cooperation and accelerate tax administration reforms across West Africa.
“The progress WATAF has made over the past fifteen years demonstrates what can be achieved when tax administrations work together. As WATAF reaches this milestone, we must build on these achievements by strengthening regional cooperation, embracing innovation and investing even more in the people and institutions that drive domestic revenue mobilisation across West Africa. I warmly invite our members and partners to join us in Accra as we shape the next chapter of WATAF’s journey.”
As the host institution, the Ghana Revenue Authority is honoured to welcome delegates from across Africa and beyond to one of the region’s foremost tax policy gatherings.
Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, said hosting WATAF’s flagship annual events as the Forum marks its 15th anniversary reflects Ghana’s longstanding 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 Forum marks fifteen years since its establishment. We look forward to welcoming tax leaders and development partners to Accra for meaningful discussions that will strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, promote innovation and deepen collaboration in building stronger tax administrations across West Africa.”
The HLPD will feature high-level discussions on some of the most pressing issues shaping tax administration today, including leadership and regional cooperation, digital transformation, domestic revenue mobilisation, environmental fiscal policy, innovation, taxpayer compliance and the future of tax administration in West Africa. Discussions are expected to generate practical policy recommendations that strengthen regional cooperation, improve tax administration and enhance domestic revenue mobilisation across the region.
Beyond the Dialogue, WATAF’s 23rd General Assembly will bring together its 15 member tax administrations to review the Forum’s progress, deliberate on strategic priorities and strengthen institutional collaboration for the years ahead. The five-day programme will also feature a Development Partners and Donors Roundtable, providing an opportunity to deepen engagement with development institutions and expand technical cooperation in support of tax administration reforms across West Africa.
Building the Next Chapter
As WATAF enters its next chapter, the Forum remains focused on strengthening regional cooperation, expanding strategic partnerships and supporting member administrations in building modern, innovative and future-ready tax systems capable of financing sustainable development. With more than 5,000 tax officials and senior executives trained, an expanding network of strategic partnerships, strengthened regional collaboration and a growing reputation as West Africa’s leading platform for tax administration cooperation, WATAF continues to demonstrate that stronger institutions, shared knowledge and collective action are essential to achieving sustainable domestic revenue mobilisation and economic transformation across the region.
The Forum therefore invites governments, tax administrations, development partners, regional and international organisations, academics, the private sector, civil society organisations and the media to participate in this landmark gathering as WATAF marks fifteen years of regional cooperation while shaping the future of tax administration in West Africa.
About WATAF
The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) is a regional body that brings together tax administrations across West Africa to strengthen domestic resource mobilization through cooperation, capacity development, and knowledge sharing. WATAF plays a leading role in shaping regional tax policy dialogue and supporting the modernization and harmonization of tax systems in line with regional and international standards.
