African tax bodies must unite to face global challenges, Egypt finance minister says

African tax administrations must unite and adopt smart technological applications to boost domestic resources and confront international economic challenges, Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said during the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) annual meetings.

Speaking at the gathering in Cairo, Kouchouk recommended rolling out smart tax applications across the continent. He noted that Egypt’s investment in technology to improve taxpayer services resulted in the voluntary registration of 3.5 million properties in 120 days, helping the country achieve a 27% growth in tax revenues last year without imposing additional burdens.

The role of tax authorities is no longer limited to revenue collection but extends to supporting the broader economy and the business community, Kouchouk said.

“Smart tax policy is one of the most impactful development tools, driving the economy and creating new job opportunities,” the minister stated, adding that Egypt has begun restoring trust with taxpayers by simplifying procedures and encouraging voluntary compliance to build a fairer tax system.

Rasha Abdel Aal, head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, said the country is working to build sustainable African partnerships to maximise the utilisation of local resources. She highlighted that digital transformation and human resource development are essential pillars for raising the efficiency of tax systems across the continent.

ATAF Executive Secretary Mary Baine told the gathering that the continent’s development will be self-funded, warning that Africa will need to double its revenues by 2050 to meet growing demands.

“Africa’s development will be funded by our own hands, and we have an opportunity to achieve our ambitions,” Baine said, thanking Cairo for opening its doors to the African tax community.

ATAF Council Chairman Dr Johnstone Makhubu stated that mobilising domestic resources is Africa’s path to financing its future, noting that good leadership builds strong institutions capable of creating sustainable revenues.

He cautioned, however, against a uniform approach across the continent. “Our economies and capacities differ, and a unified tax administration cannot be applied to all African countries,” Makhubu said, stressing that tax revenues alone are insufficient without building stronger, more efficient, and trusted administrative institutions.