The Gambia Revenue Authority will host the next West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) in Banjul that aims at setting an agenda for effective revenue mobilisation in West Africa.

The sub-regional forum on tax is due in September 18-20 which will be first time the Gambia host it.

The forum is being supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and the Ford Foundation and in partnership with the ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

It is expected to bring together 43 international delegates including 28 delegates from the West African subregion and 15 delegates from International bodies and organisations.

Meanwhile, the Internationals bodies expected to attend the forum include Ford Foundation, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA0),the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (ADB), the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD),the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“The objective of this forum is to help the participants to set agenda for effective Domestic Revenue Mobilization in West Africa, “WATAF country representative Maar Sarr said.

Mr. Sarr said member states will discuss the African Union Agenda for 2063 and its sustainable development goals, adding that they will also discuss about domestic revenue mobilisation, and wealth inequality in West Africa.

He assured of his institution well-preparedness for the forum and that “Gambia Revenue Authority has already put all mechanism in place for the successful hosting of this high level meeting in The Gambia”.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba