September 2025

NTO, WATAF, and CIAT host two-day virtual workshop Within the framework of the Network of Tax Organisations (NTO), the West African Tax Administrations Forum (WATAF) organised the two-day virtual workshop Digital Economy and Emerging Taxes: Adapting Taxation to the New Economic Landscape, together with the Centro Interamericano de Administraciones Tributarias (CIAT), both members of the global Network. More than 160 participants took part in the online sessions that unfolded on 11 and 12 November, including tax officials from Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia. The digital economy has become a permanent part of economic activity, and tax administrations can no longer remain passive. Speakers explored several challenges, including the difficulty of measuring revenue losses linked to digital activities, designing digital services taxes, and identifying policy approaches that are realistic and suitable for developing countries. Participants also discussed the increasing relevance of crypto-asset markets and the new policy and administrative demands they create. While countries have different policy options, the most suitable approach depends on national context, administrative capacity, and international commitments.   Across the workshop, speakers stressed that effective digital taxation requires not only legislative updates but also strong capacity building. Regional cooperation through tax organisations and regional bodies was highlighted as a way to increase bargaining power and support shared learning. One session focused on the use of artificial intelligence in compliance and risk analysis. Panellists noted that AI tools can strengthen tax administration, but their use raises challenges related to data protection, taxpayer rights, skills gaps, implementation costs, and outdated regulatory frameworks. Ensuring clear regulation from the outset was identified as key to successful adoption.   The workshop also included a session on cross-border collaboration, with contributions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), CIAT, Benin, Nigeria, and other administrations. CIAT presented its cooperation model for addressing digital taxation challenges, along with the services it provides to support tax administrations. Benin shared its experience with e-invoicing and how it is helping to increase revenue, while other panellists highlighted opportunities for regional mechanisms to strengthen cooperation and knowledge sharing in digital taxation. The two-day workshop concluded with remarks from Jules Tapsoba, Executive Secretary of WATAF, and Dr. Esther A.P. Koisin, Executive Secretary of CATA and Chair of the NTO Council, who emphasised the value of continued knowledge exchange and coordination in adapting tax systems and tax administrations to the rapidly evolving digital economy. “Navigating the digital tax landscape: e-commerce, sharing platforms, and trade in crypto assets” was the theme of the 3rd NTO Technical Conference, which inspired this two-day virtual workshop. For a deeper dive into the topic, the Conference report is available.  

NTO Council holds latest meeting to advance 2026 planning The Council of the Network of Tax Organisations (NTO) met on 10 November 2025 to review ongoing initiatives and tentative plans for 2026. The Council, composed of five representatives of the NTO signatories and headed by its Chair, oversees the operational management of the Network, supports the General Assembly, and guides the Secretariat in line with the NTO’s objectives and guiding principles. Its current composition, agreed during the 7th NTO General Assembly in Panama City in February 2025, includes the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators CATA (Chair of the Council), the Centro Interamericano de Administraciones Tributarias (CIAT), the Intra-European Organisation of Tax Administrators (IOTA), and the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF). A central point of the meeting was the coordination of the 2026 calendar. Members highlighted the importance of early identification of key activities like NTO members’ technical conferences to avoid overlaps and ensure smoother planning across the Network. As part of this process, CATA indicated its willingness to host the 2026 NTO General Assembly in October 2026 (specific dates and location to be confirmed). From 2026 onwards, the NTO Secretariat will transition to a rotationary structure, with each member organisation hosting the Secretariat for a two-year term. The first rotation will be hosted by CATA. Members discussed the practical steps needed to support this transition and ensure continuity of coordination within the Network, as well as its identity. Further discussions to this end will take place. Next steps include further coordination on members’ internal work plans for 2026 and continued follow-up on arrangements linked to the new strategy 2026-2028 for the global network.

Developed under the NTO umbrella, the initiative drew inspiration from the ATAF Women in Tax Network (AWITN), led by fellow NTO member ATAF. It illustrates how collaboration within the NTO enables members to build on each other’s experiences and adapt effective approaches to their regions, with the initiative now evolving independently. The second phase of the PITAA Women in Tax (WIT) Mentorship Programme in the Pacific region was officially announced on 24 September 2025 during the 22nd Annual Heads Meetings of the Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA). This follows the successful completion of the Pilot Mentorship Programme, ran from December 2024 to June 2025, which brought together 12 mentors and 12 mentees from around 14 Pacific tax administrations. Read about the outcomes of the pilot programme. Developed in partnership between the Network of Tax Organisations (NTO) and PITAA — one of the 10 regional and international tax organisations that make up the NTO, the Pilot offered monthly virtual sessions on various career development topics, including goal setting, confidence building, workplace leadership, and personal branding. The sessions were complemented with the one-on-one monthly mentorship exchanges. Its completion highlights the NTO’s role in fostering regional networks that support the professional development of women in tax administrations. The programme builds on the “Manual for the Establishment of Networking and Mentorship Programmes for Women Tax Professionals”, produced by the NTO and inspired by the African Tax Administration From (ATAF)’s Women in Tax Network (AWITN). The implementation of this new phase will be supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). By bringing together relevant stakeholders engaged in promoting the increased engagement of women in the tax sector, PITAA is ensuring the continuation and the further development of its Women in Tax Mentorship Programme in support for women professionals in the Pacific region. The NTO congratulates PITAA and the Australian Government for continuing the work on promoting gender equality in the tax authorities of the Pacific region. The orientation for the second cohort was held in Nadi, Fiji from 11–13 November 2025. Following the orientation session, mentors and mentees will have monthly virtual sessions. For further information, please read PITAA’s official press release. The Secretariat of the NTO welcomes this development and looks forward to the continued success of future cohorts of women in tax in the Pacific region.   Relevant links: Women in tax: the mentorship journey of Vanessa Mamu Empowering women in taxation: the role of women-led networks  PITAA-NTO launch Women in Tax Pilot Mentorship Programme Promoting networking and mentorship for women in tax: a manual of the NTO