The Launch of the WATAF’s Compliance Risk Management Committee (WCRMC) from 28-29 March 2022

The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) launched the WATAF’s Compliance Risk Management Committee (WCRMC) during a 2-day meeting of Heads of Risk Management Department and their deputies from Member States, held virtually from 28-29 March, 2022.

The meeting provided a platform to discuss, share knowledge and common experience on compliance risk management processes and programmes in member countries, as well as to assess the efforts each member country has made towards the reduction of the tax gap through effective implementation of the WATAF’s Compliance Risk Management Framework and Toolkit.

It was also an opportunity for participants to be trained on key areas of Compliance Risk Management (CRM) using the CRM Framework developed by WATAF to cater for the needs of Member States.

After the 2-day training, which was facilitated by WATAF’s consultant, Mr James Kerkulah, the meeting agreed that the launch of WCRMC was appropriate. It was further emphasised that the regular meeting of Risk Management Department Heads to share best practices in CRM will undoubtedly facilitate an increase in the region’s domestic revenue mobilisation.

The meeting agreed that the key objectives of the Committee shall be as follows:

•  Implement WATAF’s CRM framework and toolkit.
• Share common resources and tools in compliance risks identification, analysis, evaluation, prioritisation, treatment, and monitoring.
• Serve as a platform for knowledge and experience sharing in compliance risk management.
• Provide an opportunity for members to assist each other in areas of needs in compliance risk management.

Essodokam Ababohou from Togo and Binta B. Jawo from The Gambia were elected to serve as the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson to drive the activities of the Committee. 

A provisional agenda was agreed upon, to guide the inaugural meeting of WCRMC, to be held at a date to be determined.

WATAF is committed to identifying key areas of need in Member States with a view to proffering solutions and developing the capacity of tax officials in the Region.