Africa’s top tax administrators have gathered in Banjul for the 7th Heads of Tax Administrations Master Class, with senior government officials and revenue leaders calling for stronger leadership, digital transformation and improved domestic resource mobilisation to support the continent’s development.

The high-level forum, organised by the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) in partnership with the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), is being held under the theme “Leading for Greatness: Shaping High Performance Tax Administrations.”

The gathering brought together Commissioners General, Heads of Tax Administrations, policymakers and senior officials from across Africa to discuss how tax institutions can become more effective, transparent and responsive in a rapidly changing economic environment.

Representing President Adama Barrow at the opening ceremony, Vice President Muhammed B.S Jallow officially declared the Master Class open, stressing that African countries must strengthen domestic resource mobilisation to finance their own development priorities.

Jallow said changing global realities, including economic uncertainty and pressure on traditional sources of development financing, have made it necessary for African governments to build stronger internal revenue systems.

“No nation can truly own its development if it cannot finance its ambitions,” the Vice President said.

He said tax administrations are no longer simply revenue collection agencies but strategic institutions responsible for supporting economic growth, public services and national transformation.

The Vice President praised ATAF for creating a platform that promotes cooperation, technical support and peer learning among African tax authorities.

He also highlighted reforms undertaken by the Gambia Revenue Authority, saying investments in digital transformation, improved compliance systems and stronger risk management have contributed to better revenue performance.

Recognising the role of leadership in driving change, Jallow commended GRA Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe for his commitment to reforming the country’s revenue administration.

“Great institutions are built by leaders who have the courage to embrace change and the determination to see it through,” he said.

In his welcome address, Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority, Yankuba Darboe described The Gambia’s hosting of the continental event as a significant honour and said the presence of Africa’s tax chiefs in Banjul demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing common challenges.

“The fact that so many of the continent’s chief revenue administrators are assembled here in Banjul is a testament to the importance of this platform and the critical role tax administrations continue to play in Africa’s development,” Darboe said.

He praised ATAF for transforming the Heads of Tax Administrations Master Class into a major platform for South-South cooperation, knowledge sharing and practical solutions.
Darboe said lessons from previous editions of the Master Class had influenced reforms introduced by the GRA.

“Some of the reforms we have pursued at the Gambia Revenue Authority today can trace their roots to conversations held in forums such as this one,” he said.

The Commissioner General, however, warned that successful reforms require more than technology.

“Technology can modernise systems, but leadership sustains reform,” Darboe said.

He said tax reforms often face resistance because they seek to improve compliance, increase transparency and change existing practices.

“If nobody is resisting your reform, it may be a sign that the reform is not ambitious enough,” he added.

Darboe said strong political support remains important in implementing major reforms, noting that institutional transformation requires commitment from both technical leaders and policymakers.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Seedy Keita said Africa is at a critical point where countries must strengthen their ability to finance development through domestic resources.

Keita described tax administrators as “guardians of national capacity, builders of public trust and financial architects of sovereignty.”

He praised ATAF for strengthening tax institutions across Africa and highlighted the benefits of its partnership with The Gambia, including support in data analytics, transfer pricing, digital taxation and tax audits.

The Finance Minister said digitalisation is now central to modern tax administration.

“We cannot police a 21st-century digital economy with 20th-century manual tools; we must match the speed of innovation with the strength of our institutions,” Keita said.

He called for stronger cooperation among African countries to tackle tax evasion, aggressive tax planning and illicit financial flows that continue to deprive governments of resources needed for development.

Keita urged participants to look beyond figures and remember the human impact of revenue mobilisation.

“Behind every dalasi, every naira, every cedi, every shilling, and every rand mobilised lies a human story,” he said.

The ATAF Master Class is expected to produce new ideas and strategies aimed at strengthening tax leadership, improving revenue administration and building resilient institutions capable of supporting Africa’s development ambitions.

By Adama Makasuba