The Chairman of the
Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has stated the imperative for African nations to develop homegrown solutions to the continent’s fiscal obstacles.
This call to action was raised during the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) council meeting held in Lagos, which was hosted by FIRS.
ATAF, dedicated to bolstering tax systems across Africa through knowledge exchange and capacity development, garnered significant attention during the gathering. Adedeji, backed by the International Monetary Fund’s observations on the fiscal hurdles facing sub-Saharan Africa, stressed the urgency for local resource mobilization and the necessity for African-centric approaches to fiscal management.
In a statement disclosed by Dare Adekanmbi, the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Adedeji emphasized, “Practicable solutions… could only come from wearers who know where the shoe pinches,” urging ATAF members to prioritize the forum’s activities and adhere to its founding principles.
Adedeji’s advocacy for indigenous solutions resonated strongly, as he asserted, “The problem of Africa can only be sincerely solved by Africans. We cannot continue to rely on solutions from platforms that are not indigenous to us.”
Moreover, discussions at the meeting extended to the impending conclusion of ATAF’s Executive Secretary’s tenure in March 2025. Adedeji lauded the 16 years of service by Wort and highlighted the importance of a seamless transition for the organization’s continuity.
