The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), through its Women in Tax Network (AWITN), has launched its first Leadership Development Programme for Middle Managers – an initiative already reshaping how women across Africa see themselves as leaders.
Hosted in Pretoria from 25 to 28 November, the four-day programme convened 22 women from 13 countries and institutions. Guided by the theme “Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading with Impact,” the programme created space for honest reflection, shared challenges, and practical leadership tools.
For many delegates, the programme responded to personal leadership gaps they had long hoped to address.
Ms. Mojama Alex-Bhonapha, National Revenue Authority of Sierra Leone, captured this sentiment clearly:
“At the end of the training I want to be a better version of myself. I want to be able to change or improve my performance as well as that of my colleagues in my unit and department. Frankly, I have already made progress with the ME factor and I believe that by the end of the training, I will be looking at an impactful, patient, humble and yet firm leader.”
From Gabon’s tax administration, Ms. Laetitia Nkizogo Ondo, shared that the programme arrived at a critical moment in her career:
“This training is crucial for me. After almost 13 years in positions of responsibility, I am looking forward to self-assessing my leadership skills so that, through the tools and knowledge we explore, I can exercise efficient and effective leadership with real impact on my teams. I intend to come away with solid knowledge that I can pass on to my colleagues to empower them.”
And from the private sector, Investec’s Azwindini Manenzhe highlighted the cultural and personal dimensions of leadership, reflecting on the pressures women often navigate:
“My expectation is to strengthen my ability to confidently separate my roles at work and at home. Coming from an African cultural background where women are often expected to be submissive, especially in relation to men, I want to learn to navigate these expectations while still showing up as an effective and authentic leader. I look forward to practical tools that will help me lead teams—including men—with clarity, confidence, and authority.”
These reflections underline a core purpose of AWITN: creating a secure space where women can openly articulate their challenges and build the skills to overcome them.
Opening the programme, ATAF Executive Secretary Ms. Mary Baine emphasised that AWITN was created precisely for these moments of professional evolution:
“Our mission as AWITN is simple—to create a unique environment for women in tax across Africa; to collaborate, to grow, and to highlight the interconnectedness of tax policy and gender equality.”
She noted the global momentum for women’s empowerment—from the Beijing Declaration anniversary to the G20 Women’s Empowerment outcomes—while cautioning that progress remains far too slow. With gender equality projected to take more than a century at the current pace, Ms. Baine highlighted AWITN’s role in ensuring Africa’s tax institutions do not wait for change but actively shape it.
ATAF crafted the programme to blend deep personal reflection with practical workplace application. Sessions focused on enabling participants to:
• Understand their leadership styles, manage imposter syndrome, and build resilience.
• Navigate the complexities of managing diverse teams, coaching for performance, and resolving conflict.
• Strengthen strategic thinking, problem-solving, and innovation within tax administration.
• Develop actionable leadership plans they can implement immediately in their institutions.
The inaugural programme marks a significant milestone not only for AWITN but for ATAF’s broader mission of strengthening tax institutions through inclusive leadership. By investing in women’s capabilities, ATAF is helping member administrations cultivate leadership pipelines that are more diverse, more resilient, and more responsive to Africa’s development needs.
