The Special Advisor to the ECOWAS President on Economic and Financial Integration and Partnerships pays a courtesy visit to the WATAF Secretariat

The Special Advisor to the ECOWAS President on Economic and Financial Integration and Partnerships and Former Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of The Gambia, Hon. Mambury Njie, paid a courtesy visit to the Secretariat of the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF), on 17^th May, 2023.

The visit was an opportunity for him to have a first-hand view of where the WATAF Secretariat operates as well as to encourage the staff in the laudable work of promoting the harmonisation of tax policies in the region. Harmonisation, he said, will help ensure that multinationals do not take advantage of some economies in the region. He encouraged the Secretariat to embark on empirical studies to support the work that is done at WATAF. This will make the tax practise in the region transparent and more accountable.

He stated that WATAF has gained prominence in The Gambia and that he will preach the gospel of WATAF in his interactions with development partners and work towards ensuring that WATAF becomes completely independent financially and structurally.

Mr. Babatunde Oladapo, the Executive Secretary, in his remarks, thanked the Hon. Mambury Njie for honouring the Secretariat with his visit. He thanked him for his commitment to WATAF activities, which was evident right from the 1^st High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) hosted in The Gambia during his time as the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs. The Executive Secretary stated that support of this nature propels the WATAF team to do more. He reiterated the WATAF’s commitment to harmonising tax policies in the region.