More than 300 researchers and tax practitioners from Africa and beyond took part in a webinar examining how artificial intelligence can improve tax administration while protecting taxpayer rights and public trust.
The online discussion, titled “AI and Digital Public Infrastructure for Tax Administration: Lessons from Africa”, was convened by the African Tax Administration Forum and the African Tax Research Network in partnership with the International Centre for Tax and Development.
Participants considered how African countries can use AI to strengthen revenue collection without creating new barriers for taxpayers or leaving people without access to digital services behind. 
The discussion focused on practical challenges facing revenue authorities as they move from exploring artificial intelligence to implementing it.
Among the issues considered was how tax administrations can establish internal AI systems and develop the skills required to manage and maintain them.
Participants also examined the responsible use of taxpayer facing chatbots, including how such platforms should be designed to provide accurate information and ensure that taxpayers can access human assistance when necessary.
The webinar further considered how revenue authorities can manage relationships with private technology providers and avoid becoming overly dependent on external vendors.
Other areas of discussion included governance, transparency, data protection and the need for human oversight when automated systems are used to make decisions affecting taxpayers.
Participants also called for stronger evidence to determine whether AI tools are producing real improvements in tax compliance and revenue collection, rather than being adopted because they are popular or fashionable.
The organisers said the future of tax administration should be shaped by African evidence, experiences and priorities.
The outcomes and emerging priorities from the webinar will contribute to discussions at the 11th ATAF and ATRN Annual Congress, which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme “Contemporary Taxation Issues in Africa”.
The congress will also examine artificial intelligence, automation and the future direction of tax administration across the continent.
Registration for the Kigali congress is available through the official registration link.
