The African Tax Administration Forum, through the African Tax Research Network, joined the International Centre for Tax and Development in bringing more than 300 tax practitioners and researchers together to examine the use of artificial intelligence in African tax administrations.
The discussion focused on how AI can improve tax collection and taxpayer services while protecting public trust and preventing new forms of exclusion.
The session, titled “AI and Digital Public Infrastructure for Tax Administration: Lessons from Africa”, examined the growing use of technologies such as taxpayer chatbots, automated filing reminders, risk profiling, audit selection and fraud detection.
Organisers said the success of these technologies depends on the digital public infrastructure supporting them.
This includes reliable taxpayer data, digital identity systems, electronic payment platforms, business and property registers, interoperable government systems and tools that enable revenue authorities to make evidence based decisions.
The discussion also considered what responsible AI adoption should look like in African tax administrations and how governments can ensure that digital reforms benefit taxpayers who may have limited access to technology.
Participants shared experiences from revenue authorities across the continent, including efforts to institutionalise AI, introduce taxpayer facing chatbots and improve data infrastructure.
They also discussed the challenges of managing technology providers, building institutional capacity and putting proper governance and safeguards in place.
Another major issue was the need to protect taxpayer rights as AI becomes more involved in compliance monitoring and enforcement.
Participants considered concerns such as the accuracy of taxpayer data, transparency in automated decisions, privacy, access to digital services and the risk that technology could unfairly exclude people who lack reliable internet access or digital skills.
The session also examined the evidence needed to determine whether AI applications are producing measurable improvements in revenue collection and tax compliance.
The ICTD said the webinar was designed to look beyond the promise of new technology and assess the infrastructure, institutional capacity and governance arrangements required for AI to work effectively in African tax systems.
The discussion will contribute to preparations for the 11th ATAF and ATRN Annual Congress on Contemporary Taxation Issues in Africa.
The congress is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 22 to 24 September 2026, where researchers, tax administrators, policymakers and development partners will continue discussions on digitalisation, domestic resource mobilisation and the future of taxation in Africa.
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