The African Tax Administration Forum on Tuesday expressed strong support for Nigeria’s recent tax reforms, which led to the enactment of new tax laws.

Describing the reforms as vital for economic growth and development, ATAF conveyed its commendation through its newly appointed Executive Secretary, Ms. Mary Baine, during a visit to the FIRS Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, in Abuja.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, Baine affirmed that ATAF stands with Nigeria in reshaping its fiscal landscape and pledged the forum’s technical support to help maximize the benefits of the reforms.

She cited ATAF’s assistance to Zambia in enhancing revenue generation from the mining sector and promised similar support for Nigeria. Baine also highlighted ATAF’s readiness to leverage Nigeria’s continental and global influence to encourage other member countries to strengthen the organisation.

She said, “When you look at the strategic vision of FIRS, we see the things you are doing and the way you’re changing the tax system, the kind of reforms and the time that it has taken and of course the movement forward.

“So, we applaud you, and I wanted to say that ATAF is here to say that we stand with you, we applaud you, and we’re ready to provide whatever support that could lead to its success.

“In terms of your strategic vision people, technology and data, we find that this is something that is really critical for the rest of the continent and that it is an area where ATAF will be happy to support as well.”

FIRS Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji, while receiving the visitors, expressed confidence in Ms. Mary Baine’s ability to steer ATAF toward success.

He urged Africans to prioritize homegrown solutions to their challenges, stressing that lasting progress cannot be imported from the Western world.

Adedeji said, “My belief has always been that solutions to Africa’s challenges can only come from Africa. There is no free lunch anywhere. I have said that I don’t believe in aids; I believe in cooperation.

“So, the expectation from us as a continent is also to bring what we can contribute to the work, most especially in tax matters. For us, we have to evolve our own fiscal policies which is what Nigeria has done with the new tax laws.

“Before now, we had tax laws were colonial relics. We had Stamp Duties Act of 1939 which was enacted when there was no internet.”