By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
ABUJA, NIGERIA – “Taxation is about sovereignty and accountability,” the West African Tax Administration Forum (West African Tax Administration Forum) has declared, calling on ECOWAS member states to strengthen tax harmonisation as a critical pathway to regional stability, fairness, and sustainable development.
The statement was delivered on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the ECOWAS Parliamentary Tax Dialogue in Abuja, Nigeria, where communication and IT manager Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh spoke on behalf of WATAF Executive Secretary Jules Tapsoba.
Sengbeh explained that Tapsoba was unable to attend the session in person due to his participation in the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT), a key international partner of WATAF.
In his remarks, Sengbeh expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Parliament for convening what he described as a timely and strategic dialogue on taxation and regional development.
He also acknowledged the ECOWAS Commission for its continued partnership in advancing tax reform initiatives and strengthening domestic resource mobilisation across member states.
Further commendation was extended to the Tax Justice Network Africa for its collaboration with WATAF in promoting tax transparency and combating illicit financial flows across the continent.
Sengbeh emphasized that the dialogue should not be viewed merely as a technical tax discussion, but as a broader conversation about sovereignty, fairness, accountability, and the future of West Africa.
He noted that governments across the region are increasingly under pressure to finance critical development sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, and climate resilience, amid growing youth populations.
According to him, these pressures are compounded by structural weaknesses in tax systems and persistent capital flight that continue to deprive states of essential domestic revenue.
“The success of our region will not be determined only by the resources beneath our soil, but by the strength of the institutions we build above it,” Sengbeh stated.
He stressed that regional tax harmonisation remains essential for building a coherent, transparent, and equitable fiscal framework capable of supporting sustainable development and deeper integration.
Sengbeh further told lawmakers that taxation is not merely about revenue collection but about nation-building, economic justice, and strengthening public trust in governance systems.
He argued that effective tax policies directly influence citizens’ quality of life, determining whether governments can provide adequate education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure.
“For millions of West Africans, taxation is not an abstract policy issue,” he noted, adding that it determines whether children learn in safe classrooms or deteriorating facilities.
He also highlighted the role of parliamentarians in shaping tax compliance, strengthening oversight, and driving reform through legislation and political leadership.
Sengbeh urged lawmakers to fully engage with ECOWAS tax directives, describing them as a historic opportunity to enhance regional coherence in fiscal governance.
He warned that without coordinated action, fragmented tax systems would continue to weaken national economies and limit development outcomes across the subregion.
The WATAF representative emphasized that stronger tax systems are essential to curbing illicit financial flows and ensuring that Africa’s wealth benefits its own citizens.
He called for enhanced collaboration among ECOWAS institutions, national governments, tax authorities, civil society, and development partners to modernize tax administration systems.
According to Sengbeh, the outcomes of the dialogue could significantly improve transparency, strengthen accountability, and boost revenue generation if properly implemented.
He encouraged participants to treat the roundtable as a catalyst for practical action rather than a purely theoretical discussion.
WATAF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states in building fair, efficient, and modern tax systems aligned with regional development priorities.
The statement concluded with a call for sustained cooperation, noting that West Africa’s economic future depends on strong institutions, effective policies, and shared regional commitment to fiscal reform.
