14 July 2026
Nigeria's Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has emphasized the need for stronger regional collaboration to enhance tax administration, improve compliance with ECOWAS tax directives, and strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation across West Africa.
The Minister made this call as the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) seeks to deepen partnerships among tax authorities within the region. He noted that closer cooperation is essential to addressing common tax challenges, improving tax compliance, and creating more efficient and transparent tax systems.
According to the Minister, regional cooperation will enable member countries to share best practices, strengthen institutional capacity, and harmonise tax policies in line with ECOWAS directives. These efforts are expected to improve revenue generation while promoting economic integration and sustainable development across West Africa.
He further stressed that effective tax administration remains a critical pillar for financing public services, infrastructure development, and long-term economic growth. By working together, tax authorities across the region can better combat tax evasion, improve information sharing, and ensure that governments have the resources needed to meet their development objectives.
The renewed focus on collaboration through WATAF reflects the growing recognition that many tax challenges including cross-border transactions, digital taxation, transfer pricing, and illicit financial flows—require coordinated regional solutions rather than isolated national efforts.
Why This Matters
For taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals, stronger regional tax cooperation could lead to:
- Greater alignment of tax policies across West African countries.
- Improved implementation of ECOWAS tax directives.
- Enhanced exchange of tax information among member states.
- Better tax compliance and reduced opportunities for tax evasion.
- A more predictable and transparent tax environment for cross-border trade and investment.
Conclusion
As West African economies become increasingly interconnected, regional collaboration in tax administration is becoming more important than ever. Nigeria's call for stronger cooperation through WATAF demonstrates its commitment to building a more efficient, transparent, and resilient tax system that supports economic growth and sustainable development across the region.
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