The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has convened tax administrations from across Africa in Zimbabwe to strengthen international tax cooperation and improve domestic revenue mobilisation.
Hosted by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the 2026 Continental Exchange of Information Conference and Workshop runs from 14 to 16 October.
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Zimbabwe’s Deputy Finance Minister, David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, opened the three-day event.
Mnangagwa said: “African economies operate within an interconnected financial system. Income, assets and business transactions cross borders, while governments remain responsible for financing development at home. International tax cooperation must therefore form part of our national financing strategies.
“Exchange of information helps establish the facts needed to address concealed taxable income and assets, investigate tax-related illicit financial flows and enforce domestic tax laws.”
Discussions covered Africa’s tax transparency agenda, political leadership and the implementation of the Automatic Exchange of Information.
Sessions also examined tax information requests, the use of exchanged data in audits, simultaneous tax examinations, beneficial ownership information and international peer reviews.
African tax administrations have identified more than $5.18bn in additional revenue since 2009 through information exchange, cross-border audits and investigations, and voluntary disclosure programmes.
The ATAF said the gains remain concentrated in “relatively few countries”. Many tax administrations continue to face gaps in legal frameworks and technical capacity, as well as challenges in using exchanged information effectively.
The forum is also supporting cooperation through the ATAF Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters, technical assistance, capacity-building programmes, and tools aimed at improving the implementation and use of exchange-of-information arrangements.
ATAF head of international and cross-border taxation Antony Munanda said: “Exchange of information is an essential instrument for protecting Africa’s tax base and strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation. We have seen the results it can deliver, but too many of our members are yet to fully benefit.
“Through this conference, we want to bridge that gap by strengthening political commitment, building practical capabilities and ensuring that African tax administrations have the tools and expertise to effectively use information held beyond their borders,” he added.
