As WATAF enters a new era of leadership, the WATAF Chairman, Ms. Talato Eliane Djiguemde/Ouedraogo, who is also Burkina Faso’s Director General of Taxes, accompanied by newly appointed Executive Secretary Mr. Jules Tapsoba, initiated a regional tour this November. Between November 4 and 8, 2024, their visits to Lomé, Togo, and Abuja, Nigeria, marked a strengthened commitment to regional collaboration and laid new foundations for WATAF’s strategic mandate.
The tour began on November 5 with a visit to Lomé, where Dr. Philippe Kokou Tchodie, Commissioner-General of the Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR), welcomed the WATAF delegation. Dr. Tchodie praised WATAF’s vision under the new leadership, reinforcing the cooperative spirit between Burkina Faso and Togo. “Between Ouagadougou and Lomé, there are no longer borders; nothing can separate us,” he shared. His words highlighted the longstanding unity between Togo and Burkina Faso, embodying WATAF’s broader mission of fostering cooperation among West African states to strengthen regional solidarity and resilience.
Ms. Djiguemde expressed her gratitude to OTR for its long-standing support and outlined WATAF’s strategic focus on strengthening member collaboration and addressing diverse technical assistance needs. “WATAF is committed to mobilising our member states for closer collaboration, sharing expertise, and fostering resilient solutions to global tax challenges,” she emphasised.
Executive Secretary Mr. Tapsoba echoed this sentiment, thanking Dr. Tchodie for OTR’s decision to second a staff member to WATAF’s research department. He noted that this contribution has been pivotal in advancing WATAF’s research capacity. “We look forward to continued support from OTR as we work together to build a strong, resilient institution that benefits all member countries,” Mr. Tapsoba stated.
Continuing their journey, Ms. Djiguemde and Mr. Tapsoba visited the Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on November 7. Mr. Babatunde Oladapo, WATAF’s former Executive Secretary, introduced the delegation, including WATAF Chairman Ms. Djiguemde and Executive Secretary Mr. Tapsoba, to FIRS leadership, led by Executive Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji.
Ms. Djiguemde thanked Dr. Adedeji for FIRS’s role in supporting WATAF’s mission and emphasised the importance of DGI and Burkina Faso’s collaboration with FIRS. Mr. Tapsoba further expressed his appreciation for FIRS’ involvement, highlighting the importance of continued partnership to strengthen WATAF’s activities and advance regional tax solutions.
Dr. Adedeji congratulated WATAF’s new leaders and underscored the importance of adapting to the evolving global tax landscape. He expressed FIRS’ commitment to supporting WATAF through increased investment in research and capacity building with an emphasis on prioritising regional solutions to West Africa’s unique challenges.
The visit continued with a courtesy visit to the Burkina Faso Ambassador to Nigeria, where they discussed WATAF’s regional objectives and ongoing initiatives. The meeting highlighted the importance of diplomatic engagement in strengthening WATAF’s role in regional tax administration.
During their time in Abuja, Ms. Djiguemde took the opportunity to visit the WATAF Secretariat, where she engaged with Secretariat team members. This interaction allowed the leadership to gain insights into the Secretariat’s ongoing projects and operational needs, fostering stronger connections and alignment with WATAF’s strategic objectives. The visit also provided Secretariat staff with a valuable chance to share updates, discuss challenges, and explore collaborative ways to advance WATAF’s mission.
The November tour concluded with a gesture of respect and gratitude as WATAF leadership paid homage to Ms. Ifueko Omoigui Ukauru, the visionary behind the first convening of Heads of Tax Administrations in West Africa, which later evolved into WATAF. As the former Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s FIRS, Ms. Ukauru laid the groundwork for a regional tax forum that fosters collaboration across West African states. The visit not only celebrated her foresight in creating this forum but also served as an invitation for her continued support as WATAF advances new initiatives under its current leadership.
As WATAF moves forward under the guidance of Ms. Djiguemde and Mr. Tapsoba, this regional tour signals a promising new chapter in WATAF’s commitment to building partnerships, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering regional solidarity. WATAF will empower West African tax administrations to confidently and resiliently meet the region’s evolving tax administration needs through strategic engagement and a shared vision.
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