Republic of the Congo has become the 45th member of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), in a move aimed at strengthening tax cooperation and boosting domestic revenue mobilisation across the continent.
The accession was formalised in Brazzaville through the signing of an instrument of membership by Ludovic Itoua, Director-General of Taxes and State Property, and confirmed by ATAF Executive Secretary Mary Baine.
The African Tax Administration Forum said the addition of Congo marks a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance coordination among African tax authorities and improve fiscal capacity across member states.
African Tax Administration Forum said the country’s membership would strengthen collective efforts to build more resilient tax systems and improve domestic resource mobilisation in Africa.
ATAF Executive Secretary Mary Baine welcomed the development, saying Congo’s entry would deepen cooperation and support reforms across African tax administrations.
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She said the organisation looked forward to working closely with Congo to enhance revenue systems and ensure African countries play a stronger role in global tax discussions.
Congo’s tax authority said membership would provide access to training programmes, technical assistance, peer learning and best practices developed among ATAF member countries.
Officials said the partnership would support ongoing efforts to modernise tax administration, improve compliance and strengthen revenue collection capacity.
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The Republic of Congo said joining ATAF represents a strategic opportunity to deepen institutional capacity and participate more actively in shaping international tax policy discussions.
Tax policy adviser François Breitzer Mounzeo said the move reflects the country’s commitment to reforming its tax system and improving fiscal performance.
He added that cooperation with other African tax administrations would help promote knowledge sharing and more effective revenue systems.
ATAF, a continental platform bringing together African tax authorities, focuses on improving tax policy, strengthening administration and amplifying Africa’s voice in international tax negotiations.
The organisation provides technical assistance, training and research support to member countries, helping them increase domestic revenue and reduce reliance on external financing.
According to ATAF data, its interventions generated US$907.8 million in new tax assessments in 2025, with $685.8 million actually collected.
Since 2016, cumulative assessments have reached US$6.0 billion, while US$2.8 billion has been collected across member countries, underscoring the growing role of the forum in strengthening fiscal capacity across Africa.
Analysts say Congo’s accession reflects a broader regional push to improve tax governance as governments face rising fiscal pressures and seek to expand non-oil revenue sources.
The move also aligns with continental efforts to combat illicit financial flows and improve transparency in public revenue systems.
