Global tax experts and policymakers meet in Dar es Salaam to chart a new path for domestic resource mobilisation in sub-Saharan Africa
Speakers include Tanzania’s Commissioner for External Finance, Rished M. Bade, and world-renowned tax, trade and economic policy expert, Prof Kimberly Clausing.
15 May 2024, Dar es Salaam – Today, researchers, policymakers and experts from across the world gathered in Dar es Salaam for the inaugural TRA-IGC-REPOA International Conference on Tax for Growth. Over two days, the group will tackle pressing issues surrounding domestic resource mobilisation and tax system enhancement in sub-Saharan Africa.
This comes at a crucial moment. Real GDP per capita growth has slowed in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade, rendering many countries reliant on foreign aid and unsustainable financing to meet urgent revenue needs. Inflation and interest rate shocks have worsened the picture, bringing domestic resource mobilisation to the fore.
In his opening remarks, Tanzania’s Commissioner for External Finance Rished M. Bade, representing the Minister of Finance, shared that tax is the “lifeblood” of government revenue and sustainable development, and that collaboration and research are essential to effective taxation.
“This Conference provides an opportunity to all of us to link as peers, policymakers, researchers and academics, with a need to achieve our shared goal to realise the full potential of taxation in mobilising the necessary resources for sustainable development of our economies.”
“I’d like to reaffirm the Tanzanian commitment to fostering this partnership and making sure that we value all the knowledge sharing, technical assistance and capacity building it brings. We will effectively use this in reshaping our tax policies and administration.”
From left: Tanzania’s Commissioner for External Finance Rished M. Bade; IGC Executive Director Jonathan Leape; British High Commissioner to Tanzania David Concar
Tomorrow, world-renowned tax, trade and economic policy expert, Professor Kimberly Clausing, will address the 150 delegates. Clausing plans to explore the potential benefits for developing countries in the transition to a low-carbon economy, posing the question: “Can tax policy help promote an effective climate transition in developing countries?”
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), the International Growth Centre (IGC), and REPOA are co-hosting the International Conference on Tax for Growth, with a shared goal to promote sustainable economic development in the region. The Conference builds on the IGC’s current work with the Government of Tanzania. This includes the development of a data dashboard to assist TRA with tax enforcement; an in-depth monetary policy review led by Professor Christopher Adam; and a project focused on boosting foreign direct investment in sectors identified by the Government.
View the conference agenda and follow for live updates.
Day 1 of the inaugural TRA-IGC-REPOA International conference on Tax for Growth
ENDS
Contact information:
IGC: Tove van Lennep, [email protected]
TRA: Rachel Mkundai, [email protected]
REPOA: Vincent Nalwendela, [email protected]