Enhancing Urban Revenue: WATAF Workshop in Guinea-Bissau

WATAF Empowers DGCI in Urban Property Tax Administration

From January 20–24, 2025, WATAF, in partnership with the Directorate-General of Contributions and Taxes (DGCI) of Guinea-Bissau and funded by the Open Society Foundation, is hosting a five-day training on urban property tax administration in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The workshop aims to enhance DGCI’s ability to implement efficient taxpayer segmentation strategies, a crucial step in enhancing urban revenue mobilisation and public service delivery.

A strategic approach to revenue mobilisation

Urban property tax is a cornerstone of sustainable revenue generation in Guinea-Bissau. The training focuses on adopting a segmentation approach, which classifies taxpayers into large, medium, and small categories based on property value, revenue potential, and compliance behaviour. This tailored approach promises to enhance resource allocation, improve compliance, and streamline administrative processes.

Key Objectives and Activities

The workshop objectives include:

• Building technical skills for taxpayer segmentation.
• Enhancing property valuation understanding.
• Designing compliance and communication strategies.
• Promoting interdepartmental collaboration.

Each day will cover distinct themes, from global best practices to drafting actionable plans for implementing a segmented tax administration framework.

Interactive and Practical Learning

The training will employ diverse methodologies, including presentations, case studies, and hands-on workshops. Experts like Mr. Antony Mwandha, a former URA official, and Mr. Jupar N. Dunbar, Assistant Commissioner for the Enterprise Data Analytics Division, Liberia Revenue Authority, will guide participants through practical exercises on property valuation, taxpayer classification, and stakeholder engagement.

Outcomes and Future Directions

Participants have a robust understanding of taxpayer segmentation and its applications. Additionally, they will have the ability to create a segmentation framework specifically for Guinea-Bissau, paving the way for enhanced management of urban property taxes.

WATAF remains committed to enhancing tax systems across West Africa through capacity building and innovative solutions. For more information on this initiative, contact:

Dan-Asabe Ozayashi
Manager, Training and Capacity Development
dan-asabe.ozayashi@wataf-tax.org