Freetown, September 15, 2025 — In a strategic move to deepen regional tax collaboration, a high-level delegation from the West Africa Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) paid a courtesy visit to Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Honourable Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, at the Ministry’s headquarters on George Street in Freetown.
The delegation, led by WATAF Executive Secretary Mr. Jules Tapsoba and WATAF Chairperson Mrs. Eliane Talato Djiguemde-Ouedraogo, who also heads Burkina Faso’s Revenue Authority, was hosted by Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura. The visit marks the opening of the 7th WATAF High-Level Policy Dialogue, themed “Financing Development Through Effective Tax Systems”, which runs from September 15 to 19 in Freetown.
During the meeting, the WATAF leaders shared insights from their respective countries on modernizing revenue administration and enhancing domestic resource mobilization. Both Tapsoba and Djiguemde-Ouedraogo commended Commissioner General Bangura for her visionary leadership in convening the regional dialogue, describing the initiative as a timely platform for knowledge exchange and policy innovation.
Commissioner General Bangura emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in building resilient tax systems, noting that the dialogue would strengthen institutional capacity and foster best practices across West Africa.
Minister Bangura welcomed the delegation with optimism, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional tax integration and praising WATAF’s role in advancing transparent, efficient, and equitable tax administration frameworks.
The meeting concluded with a shared pledge to deepen intergovernmental collaboration, improve tax compliance, and leverage collective expertise to support sustainable development across member states.
The WATAF Policy Dialogue continues this week, drawing senior tax officials, policymakers, and development partners from across the region.
