VAT digitalisation West Africa is urged by WATAF to boost revenue, reduce leakages and improve tax efficiency across ECOWAS economies

The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF), a regional body focused on tax policy coordination, on Wednesday, April 23, 2026, called for accelerated digitalisation of Value Added Tax systems across West Africa, warning that outdated processes are undermining revenue mobilisation and slowing economic growth.

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The call was made during a high-level regional forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, organised by the African Development Bank, bringing together tax administrators, policymakers and development partners to assess ongoing reforms in VAT administration across the continent.

Speaking during a panel discussion on VAT reform, WATAF Executive Secretary Jules Tapsoba stressed that the VAT digitalisation West Africa agenda is critical for improving efficiency, reducing leakages and strengthening compliance across member states.

Tapsoba said digital transformation remains the most powerful tool for improving VAT performance in the region, cautioning that failure to adopt modern systems would continue to result in inefficiencies and lost revenue.

He highlighted structural challenges affecting VAT collection, including a large informal sector, weak tax compliance culture, limited digital infrastructure and poor coordination between customs and domestic tax authorities.

According to him, these weaknesses have contributed to delayed VAT refunds, revenue leakages and reduced liquidity for businesses operating within the region.

Despite ongoing reforms such as electronic invoicing, online taxpayer registration and automated filing systems in several countries, Tapsoba noted that implementation remains uneven and fragmented across West Africa.

He urged member states to align their national VAT systems with the ECOWAS VAT harmonisation directive adopted in 2023, ahead of the 2027 compliance deadline, stressing that coordination is essential for building a unified regional market.

Also speaking at the forum, AfDB governance official Eline Okudzeto highlighted progress made in other African regions while noting persistent challenges in system integration and enforcement.

Other stakeholders from regional tax bodies and ECOWAS reinforced the importance of VAT as a key domestic revenue source, while acknowledging the difficulties in achieving full compliance.

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The forum concluded with a call for stronger political commitment, improved institutional coordination and faster implementation of digital tax systems to support long-term fiscal sustainability across West Africa.