Oxfam America will host this book launch and discussion on the role of civil society and donors in building better tax systems and strengthening the social contract.
The newly published book, Taxing Africa, offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the crucial debates around taxation and development in Africa. Written by leading international experts, it examines issues from tax evasion by multinational corporations and African elites to how ordinary people navigate complex webs of 'informal' local taxation, examining the challenges and the potential for reform.
Tax is foundational to the social contract between states and citizens. However, open civic space and citizen engagement is necessary for bargaining around taxation to lead to more equitable and effective public spending and governance that is more accountable.
In 2015, under the Addis Tax Initiative, partner countries committed to stepping up their efforts on domestic resource mobilization (DRM), and donors committed to doubling their support to DRM programs by 2020. However, most donor support in the DRM area thus far has focused on technical assistance to partner governments, with the aim of increasing the quality of tax policy and the effectiveness of tax administration. According to OECD data, only 3% of DRM assistance in 2015 was channeled to local civil society organizations.
The International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) and Oxfam, along with the International Budget Partnership (IBP) and Center for Global Development (CGD) are hosting an event to launch this new book, followed by a dialogue on the role of civil society and donors in building more equitable and efficient tax systems and strengthening the social contract in Africa.
9:00am Breakfast and Registration
9:30am Presentation on Taxing Africa
- Dr. Wilson Prichard, ICTD
9:50am Panel Discussion:
- Professor Nora Lustig, Center for Global Development
- Mr. Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director, IMF African Department International Budget Partnership tax lead (TBC)
- Mr. Nathan Coplin, Senior Policy Advisor, Oxfam America (moderator)
10:30am Open Discussion
