Making the Right Fiscal Trade-offs

Low tax collection and large informal economies continue to constrain public finances across Sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, the mobile sector — one of the region’s strongest engines of growth and digital inclusion — is often taxed more heavily than other industries. This session explores a more sustainable approach to revenue collection: using digitalisation to expand the tax base by formalising more economic activity. Policymakers and industry leaders will discuss how to balance short-term revenue needs with long-term growth, by designing fiscal frameworks that encourage investment and expand digital access, ultimately leading to more resilient and inclusive public finances.