MESSAGE DU PRÉSIDENT

Message du président

Muhammad Mamman Nami  
Président du Conseil
Service fédéral des recettes fiscales (FIRS)
It is a privilege to have taken over as the Chairman of the ATAF Council at such a significant milestone in the history of the organisation. As I am new to ATAF, I have taken the opportunity to acquaint myself with the organisation’s history and achievements since its launch in November 2009. I can truly say ATAF’s achievements in its first decade, the service it has delivered to members and its impact on the continent and on the international stage is remarkable. These should be a source of pride to all who have contributed to the organisation’s success: the members, the ATAF Council and Secretariat, and our development partners. 

What is particularly impressive is ATAF’s ability to respond to members’ needs and address challenges as they arise. This is amply illustrated in this annual report which is a review of ATAF’s work in 2019. In fulfilling its core mandate, the organisation has carried out over 40 technical assistance missions to 15 member countries and provided training to nearly 800 tax officials on the continent. It continues to strive to become Africa’s knowledge hub and centre of excellence for data and research on tax matters. The flagship African Tax Outlook publication continues to grow, with the 2019 publication featuring economic and tax data from 34 tax administrations on the continent. 

ATAF also sought to keep members informed about the important developments taking place in the talks on taxation globally, the outcomes of which will change fundamental principles in how and where corporates taxes are assessed and paid. These changes will have an impact on the tax bases of countries across the world, including on our continent, and it is in the interest of African countries to robustly defend their rights to fair taxation. 
ATAF plays its part in advocating for its members in forums such as the OECD’s BEPS Working Parties and Inclusive Framework and the United Nations’ Tax Committee, amongst others. However, it is imperative that all ATAF members, and especially those African countries that are members of the Inclusive Framework, make their voices heard too. 

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge my predecessor as ATAF Council chairman, Mr Tunde Fowler, for his leadership and contribution to the work of ATAF during his three years in the role. Indeed, all the activities reported in this annual report took place under the guidance of the Council 
led by Mr Fowler and I would therefore like to express my thanks to all the Council members for their contributions. I must also acknowledge the commitment of the Secretariat staff, ably led by the Executive Secretary, for their hard work and dedication in executing the ATAF Workplan. Finally, I must express ATAF’s gratitude to our development partners for their much-appreciated support. 

As we look forward to a new decade, we must make every effort to ensure that ATAF goes from strength to strength and that we continue to build on the hard-earned successes of the past ten years. It is the responsibility of all of us, the Council, the Secretariat and the membership, to ensure that the organisation continues to make progress and achieves sustainability. 

ATAF exists to serve its members, they are at the heart of all ATAF’s activities. A strong and engaged membership is the key to the organisation’s success in the future. I appeal to all our members to honour their obligations to ATAF and become more actively engaged in the work of the organisation. The ATAF Council and Secretariat are committed to building an even stronger organisation going forward. Surely, if we all pull together, we cannot fail. 
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