The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) will convene its 8th High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) and 23rd General Assembly in Accra, Ghana, from September 15–19, 2026.
Hosted by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the flagship annual events coincide with the 15th anniversary of the regional tax body.
Held under the theme “Building Stronger Tax Administrations for Revenue Mobilisation and Sustainable Development,” the policy dialogue will bring together Finance Ministers, tax agency heads, international experts, and development partners to explore innovative solutions for financing development amid digital transformation and global tax reforms.
Since its founding in 2011, WATAF has trained over 5,000 tax officials across West Africa. Between 2024 and mid-2026 alone, the Forum delivered 26 regional training programmes reaching nearly 2,000 officials on key issues like the digital economy and diagnostic tools. It has also established partnerships with over ten regional and global institutions, including ECOWAS, UEMOA, the African Union, and the World Bank.
Reflecting on the 15-year landmark, WATAF Executive Secretary Jules Tapsoba highlighted the organization’s core mission and vision for the future:
“Fifteen years ago, WATAF was established on the belief that stronger cooperation would build stronger tax administrations. Today, that vision is reflected in thousands of tax officials trained, stronger regional partnerships, growing institutional influence and a shared commitment to helping our member countries mobilise the domestic revenues needed for sustainable development. The next fifteen years must take us even further.”
WATAF Chairperson and Director General of Taxes of Burkina Faso, Ms. Eliane Talato Djiguemde, emphasized the need for continued collaboration across member states:
“The progress WATAF has made over the past fifteen years demonstrates what can be achieved when tax administrations work together. As WATAF reaches this milestone, we must build on these achievements by strengthening regional cooperation, embracing innovation and investing even more in the people and institutions that drive domestic revenue mobilisation across West Africa.”
As the host country, Ghana reiterated its commitment to supporting regional growth through modern, resilient tax systems.
“Ghana is honoured to host WATAF’s 8th High-Level Policy Dialogue and 23rd General Assembly as the events coincide with fifteen years since the Forum’s establishment,” said Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority. “We look forward to welcoming tax leaders and development partners to Accra for meaningful discussions that will strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, promote innovation and deepen collaboration in building stronger tax administrations across West Africa.”
In addition to the policy dialogue, the week-long gathering will feature the 23rd General Assembly of WATAF’s 15-member tax administrations and a Development Partners and Donors Roundtable designed to deepen technical cooperation across the region.