In a bid to strengthen the capacity of its member states for effective implementation of regional tax reforms, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission organized a four-day workshop on tax administration. The event was held from March 24 to March 27, 2025, and focused on "Enhancing Capacity for Effective Implementation of the ECOWAS Adopted Methodology on Tax Expenditure."
The ECOWAS Directorate of Customs Union and Taxation, in collaboration with the World Bank, brought together representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Tax Administrations of Anglophone ECOWAS member states. The workshop sought to equip attendees with the technical knowledge and tools necessary for adhering to the ECOWAS-adopted methodology on tax expenditure. Moreover, it aimed to enhance the capacity of tax officers in preparing and reporting tax expenditures according to established guidelines.
H.E. Ambassador Harouna Moussa, the Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Sierra Leone, emphasized the workshop's significance on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray. Moussa stated that the workshop would strengthen collaboration between ECOWAS and its member states, aligning tax expenditure policies with international standards and regional economic goals. “Tax expenditures, if not properly assessed and managed, can significantly impact government revenues and economic development," Moussa noted.
Representing the Government of Sierra Leone, the Director of Tax Revenue and Tax Policy at Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance, Mr. Idrissa Kanu, highlighted the importance of harmonizing tax reforms and policies within the ECOWAS sub-region. He expressed the government's gratitude to ECOWAS for its dedication to tax reform efforts, which aim to standardize estimation methods and improve tax expenditure governance in West Africa. Mr. Kanu remarked, “We particularly appreciate that the ECOWAS is committed to tax reforms geared towards harmonizing the estimation methods and better governance of tax expenditures.”
World Bank Senior Economist Alastair Thomas underscored ECOWAS' commitment to the 2023 Directive on Tax Expenditure and reinforced the World Bank's support. Thomas emphasized, “The World Bank is absolutely delighted to collaborate with ECOWAS in enhancing the capacity of its Member States towards the effective implementation of the ECOWAS-adopted methodology on tax expenditure.”
Through expert-led sessions and discussions, the workshop fostered significant collaboration and knowledge-sharing among ECOWAS member states. This endeavor is expected to contribute positively to taxation policy formulation and implementation throughout the region.
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