This milestone collaboration reinforces the shared commitment of both organizations to drive sustainable development through improved domestic resource mobilization (DRM) and enhanced tax administration.
The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa Sustainable Finance Hub have solidified their strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to enhance financing for SDGs in the African continent by fostering fair, efficient and accountable tax systems across the African continent. This milestone collaboration reinforces the shared commitment of both organizations to drive sustainable development through improved domestic resource mobilization (DRM) and enhanced tax administration. ATAF, as a pivotal International Organisation in Africa and has been at the forefront of improving tax systems through Technical Assistance to African Tax Administrations, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and active engagement in global tax agendas.
Strengthening Synergies for Sustainable Development
This MoU represents a significant step forward in aligning ATAF’s mission with the UNDP’s Tax for Sustainable Development Goals (Tax for SDGs) initiative. The partnership will allow for deeper cooperation beyond the TIWB Program and will focus on thematic areas and country-specific support to address Africa’s most pressing tax challenges.
Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa UNDP, Regional Bureau for Africa highlighted the importance of this collaboration:
“This MoU cements a strategic partnership that is critical to Africa’s development. By joining forces with ATAF, we are not only strengthening tax systems, we are enabling African countries to mobilize more resources for their own development, reduce dependence on external aid, and drive sustainable, inclusive growth. This is about impact at scale: closing revenue gaps, tackling illicit financial flows, and ensuring that taxation becomes a powerful tool for economic transformation and inclusive, sustainable growth.”
Mr Logan Wort, Executive Secretary of ATAF, emphasized the critical role of partnerships in achieving ATAF’s vision:
“Domestic resource mobilization is the cornerstone of Africa’s sustainable development, underpinning both Agenda 2063 and the UN SDGs. As a leading international organization working to build efficient and effective tax systems in Africa, ATAF plays a critical role in enhancing capacity, improving compliance, and driving tax policy reforms to improve the living standards of the people of Africa. This partnership with UNDP marks a significant step in strengthening tax administrations, fostering economic resilience, and ensuring African nations can harness their own resources for sustainable growth and prosperity We are very excited with the prospects of the wide continental reach, active technical, policy and reform programs will bring to the Continent”
Driving Impactful Results
This strategic partnership is poised to deliver impactful results by addressing regional and country-specific challenges in tax systems, aligning fiscal policies with the Sustainable Development Goals, and enhancing transparency and accountability in revenue collection.
As the collaboration moves forward, both organizations remain committed to periodic reviews to ensure alignment with their shared objectives and to continuously adapt their approaches to evolving tax and development challenges.
