My Reflections on the Hybrid Policy & Programme Dialogue Meeting(Dialogue sur les politiques et les programmes) held this week 27 May 2025
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This week’s hybrid Policy and Programme Dialogue was truly eye-opening for me. It deepened my understanding of the complex challenges surrounding taxation management across African countries. One of the key takeaways for me was the discussion on the reasons behind widespread tax evasion. The question, “Why do people evade tax?”, sparked important reflections, not just about non-compliance, but also about the underlying mistrust between citizens and governments.
Another critical point raised was the paradox where citizens do pay taxes, yet governments often fail to deliver quality public services in return. This failure contributes to a cycle of disillusionment and reduced tax morale, where citizens feel little incentive to contribute to a system they perceive as inefficient or corrupt.
I also found the conversations around solutions particularly thought-provoking. The emphasis on leveraging technology to improve tax administration and service delivery was inspiring especially for me as a fellow in Tech. Technological platforms for taxation management when designed with accountability and user access in mind, could significantly enhance efficiency, transparency, and trust in the system.
Overall, the meeting reinforced the importance of good governance, citizen engagement, and digital innovation in strengthening tax systems. For taxation to work as a tool for development, it must be grounded in a social contract where both the state and its citizens uphold their responsibilities.
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Very true. Interestingly, the hybrid Policy and Programme Dialogue sparked thoughts on integrating and mainstreaming gender across workstreams.
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SYAHUKA Hilda, Uganda, DOA Absolutely, that stood out to me as well. The statistics highlighting how much women are excluded, yet still contribute 60%, were incredibly thought provoking. It really underscores both the systemic inequalities and the immense, often overlooked, value that women bring to the table.
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Indeed, IITUMBA Ndinelao,Namibia,PCKMD an interesting observation. The idea of the social contract really resonated with me too. It’s a concept I’m starting to adopt in everything I do, especially as a way to answer the simple but powerful question: “What do people actually gain from what we do?” It’s made me reflect deeply on what it will truly take for public institutions to deliver on that promise not just in theory, but in action.
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Thanks ABNER Martha,Namibia,DES-PS This really resonates with me as well. In my work and PhD research, the idea of the social contract is central. It reminds me that technology, research, and innovation must tangibly improve people’s lives. It’s not just about building systems, but about building trust, ensuring that communities truly benefit from the work we do. Like you, I’m reflecting on how we move from promises to practice, and how inclusive, community driven approaches can help public institutions fulfill that contract in real, lasting ways.
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IITUMBA Ndinelao,Namibia,PCKMD I also attended the dialogue, and it was insightful. This Policy and Programme Dialogue deepened my understanding of the complex challenges in taxation across African countries, especially the link between tax evasion and the underlying mistrust between citizens and governments.
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NDIMBO Gabriel Kanuti,Tanzania,IDEP Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I completely agree. Tax issues really have setbacks. It’s not just about compliance or systems, but about the social contract (As ABNER Martha,Namibia,DES-PS stressed) between citizens and the state. When people don’t see tangible returns like quality public services, they naturally start questioning the purpose of paying taxes.
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IITUMBA Ndinelao,Namibia,PCKMD This week’s dialogue highlighted the complexity of Africa’s tax systems, particularly the close relationship between citizens' distrust of their governments and the perceived efficiency of the public sector.
In our paper (https://academic.oup.com/oep/article-pdf/76/3/741/58212432/gpad036.pdf) on the determinants of public sector efficiency covering 158 countries of all income levels, we demonstrate that an effective public sector is essential for strengthening institutional legitimacy and encouraging tax compliance. The analysis includes four sectors: education, health, infrastructure, and public administration. Our study emphasizes that key determinants of this efficiency include governance quality, transparency, administrative accountability, and the capacity to deliver quality public services. When citizens perceive their taxes are used efficiently, it reinforces trust in the tax system and motivates voluntary compliance, creating a virtuous cycle of improved public service delivery and civic engagement.
A fundamental takeaway from this discussion is the need for governments to tangibly demonstrate how tax revenues are utilized. Distrust and tax apathy often stem from a lack of transparency regarding resource allocation. Building on our research in Apeti et al. (2024), we argue that enhancing public sector efficiency requires citizens to have access to clear, accessible information about how their taxes are spent. Transparent management, supported by effective digital platforms, would bolster trust by showing how taxation directly funds essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Moreover, public sector efficiency also hinges on administrative capacity to optimally manage resources. In our study (Apeti et al., 2024), we stress the importance of a robust institutional framework centered on accountability. As noted in the dialogue, implementing digital strategies must therefore be paired with strengthening institutional capabilities to ensure technological investments translate into better management and transparency. This would enable citizens to see tangible improvements, reinforcing their trust and engagement in the tax system.
In essence, for Africa’s tax systems to become true levers of development, they must be grounded in accountable governance, transparent communication, and effective technology use. As supported by our research (Apeti et al., 2024), this combination shows that public sector efficiency is not merely an internal management issue but a vital dimension of the social contract between states and citizens. Providing citizens with precise information...
