The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) have signed a Memorandum of Co-operation, agreeing to work together to improve tax systems in Africa.

Joint activities planned for 2013 – 2015 include technical events for African tax officials, sharing knowledge and developing good practices.

Co-operation efforts will include work in the areas of tax incentives for investment, transfer pricing, exchange of information, taxpayer education, and collection of African revenue statistics and support for the proposed Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) initiative.

Logan Wort, Executive Secretary of ATAF stated that, “since the inauguration of ATAF, the invaluable support and commitment of the OECD has helped ATAF achieve many successes in its quest to promote economic growth through developing tax administrations on the African continent”.

“In a short space of time, our two organisations have developed a special relationship that has continued to contribute significantly to the sharing of knowledge and the development of technical skills for African revenue administrators. The Memorandum of Cooperation between the OECD and ATAF is a natural extension of this continued partnership”.

Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration said “ATAF will help African countries build strong, effective and efficient tax systems and counter erosion of their tax bases. We are delighted with this partnership and fully support ATAF’s agenda”.

“Our joint work with Africa over the past 3 years shows that by sharing knowledge and experience on taxation we can find common solutions to global challenges” he added.

Jon Lomøy, who heads the OECD’s Development Co-operation Directorate, also welcomed the agreement, emphasizing that “this strong OECD/ATAF partnership will boost developing countries’ ability to mobilise domestic resources, invest in development, relieve poverty and deliver public services,” he said.

This Memorandum was signed on the occasion of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information in Cape Town, South Africa. The Global Forum brings together 116 members, including 15 in Africa.

The OECD and ATAF will work together to promote African countries’ participation in the work of the Forum.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh