By Godfrey AKON
African tax administrators have resolved to strengthen strategies for the effective taxation of High-Net-Worth Individuals, HNWIs, as part of broader efforts to expand the continent’s tax base and boost domestic revenue mobilisation.
The decision was reached at a continental workshop on Enhancing Tax Compliance among High-Net-Worth Individuals in Africa, held in Entebbe, Uganda, from October 21 to 23.
The event was jointly organised by the African Tax Administration Forum, ATAF, and the International Centre for Tax and Development, ICTD.
ATAF Executive Secretary, Ms. Mary Baine, urged African tax authorities to adopt innovative and determined approaches in ensuring that wealthy individuals contribute their fair share to national development.
Citing an ATAF report, Baine noted that while South Africa, Eswatini, and the Kingdom of Lesotho lead the continent in personal income tax collection, the bulk of their revenues still come from Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxpayers, leaving a significant untapped potential among the wealthy.
She identified key challenges confronting African tax administrations, including limited funding, weak data integration, and underutilisation of administrative data for effective decision-making. Baine reaffirmed ATAF’s commitment to assisting member states in strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, DRM, in line with the Seville Declaration.
Delivering the keynote address, the Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency, NamRA, and Vice Chair of the ATAF Council, Mr. Sam Shivute, emphasised the need for decisive leadership and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure tax compliance among high-income earners.
The workshop brought together tax administrators, policy experts, and development partners, all of whom agreed on the need for collaborative action, data-driven administration, and capacity building to promote fairness and equity in Africa’s tax systems.
