WATAF, SWITWA Sign Cooperation Agreement To Advance Women In Taxation Across West Africa

ACCRA, GHANA, 19 September 2026 — The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) and the Society of Women in Taxation West Africa (SWITWA) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at strengthening collaboration on women and taxation, professional development, capacity building, research and knowledge exchange across West Africa.

The agreement was signed on Friday (September 18, 2026) on the margins of WATAF’s 23rd General Assembly in Accra, Ghana, marking one of the positive institutional outcomes of the regional gathering.

The Memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation between WATAF and SWITWA in areas of mutual interest, including training, capacity building, research, information sharing, professional standards, ethical tax practice and the promotion of good practices in tax administration.

Through the cooperation, WATAF and SWITWA will explore opportunities to support the participation and professional development of women in taxation, encourage dialogue between women tax administrators and women tax professionals, and promote initiatives that contribute to stronger and more inclusive tax systems in the region.

WATAF Executive Secretary Mr. Jules Tapsoba said the agreement reflects WATAF’s commitment to building partnerships that deliver practical value to member tax administrations.

“This Memorandum of Cooperation provides an important platform for WATAF and SWITWA to work together in areas that are central to the future of tax administration in West Africa,” Mr. Tapsoba said. “By promoting capacity building, research, knowledge exchange and the professional development of women in taxation, this cooperation will support stronger institutions and contribute to more effective domestic revenue mobilisation across the region.”

He said WATAF looks forward to working with SWITWA in a manner that supports member tax administrations, strengthens professional standards and creates more opportunities for women to contribute to tax policy, tax practice and administration reforms.

SWITWA Regional Chairperson Madam Esi Duma Sam, FCITG, welcomed the signing as a major step in deepening cooperation between tax administrations and women tax professionals in West Africa.

“This agreement gives SWITWA an opportunity to work more closely with WATAF in advancing the role of women in taxation and supporting the development of stronger tax systems in our region,” Madam Sam said. “We are committed to contributing expertise, promoting knowledge sharing and supporting initiatives that empower women tax professionals while adding value to tax administrations and the wider taxation profession.”

The agreement is expected to benefit WATAF member tax administrations by creating additional opportunities for technical exchange, access to professional expertise, research collaboration and policy dialogue on issues affecting women in taxation, the informal sector, business women, professional women and tax authorities across West Africa.

It also provides a platform for both institutions to consider joint activities, including workshops, seminars, technical meetings, research and publications, where such activities are mutually agreed and aligned with their respective mandates.

Mr. Tapsoba signed the Memorandum on behalf of WATAF, while Madam Sam signed on behalf of SWITWA.

SWITWA, the female arm of the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI), was inaugurated in 2023 to support women within the taxation profession and promote the development of women’s structures within national taxation bodies in the region.

The Memorandum of Cooperation enters into force from the date of signature and provides a basis for future collaboration between the two institutions, subject to agreed work areas, available resources and the applicable governance arrangements of both parties.

WATAF said the agreement represents an important step in deepening institutional cooperation with professional bodies and creating broader platforms for women to contribute to tax policy, tax practice and tax administration reforms in West Africa.