AfDB Approves $5.52m Grant to Boost Tax Administration Across West Africa

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $5.52 million grant to strengthen tax administration systems and enhance domestic revenue mobilisation in West Africa, as governments across the region seek to expand fiscal capacity and reduce dependence on external borrowing.

The funding agreement was signed with the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) to implement a regional initiative known as the Strengthening Tax Administration Capacity Project in West Africa (STACP-WA). The programme is designed to modernise tax administration, strengthen governance structures, and improve efficiency in public revenue collection.

Funding for the initiative will come through the African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional financing arm of the AfDB, under its Transition Support Facility, which focuses on supporting fragile and transitional states across Africa.

Speaking on the initiative, AfDB Director-General for Nigeria, Abdul B. Kamara, said strengthening tax administration capacity remains essential for West African economies seeking to increase fiscal space and finance development programmes sustainably.

According to him, improving tax systems will help governments enhance efficiency in revenue collection, curb financial leakages, and strengthen governance in both domestic taxation and the management of revenues from natural resources.

The project will be implemented by WATAF in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and national tax authorities across participating countries.

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Executive Secretary of WATAF, Jules Tapsoba, described the programme as a milestone for the region, noting that it represents the first region-wide tax administration initiative financed by the AfDB.

Tapsoba explained that the project will strengthen institutional capacity among tax authorities, promote knowledge sharing between revenue agencies, and support the adoption of modern digital tax technologies that improve compliance and enforcement.

The programme will directly support six West African countries — Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone — by providing technical assistance to modernise tax and customs administration systems.

Under the project, governments will receive support to improve oversight of natural resource revenues, strengthen transparency in public financial management, and deploy data-driven tax systems to improve efficiency in revenue collection.

Digital platforms and analytical tools are also expected to help reduce illicit financial flows, tax evasion, and revenue leakages, which have historically undermined public finances in several West African countries.

The initiative will also promote regional cooperation among tax authorities, support research on tax policy, and help align revenue systems with emerging economic frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The project is expected to run until July 30, 2030, with oversight provided by a Project Steering Committee made up of representatives from WATAF, ECOWAS, and participating countries. A dedicated Project Implementation Unit within WATAF will coordinate the programme’s day-to-day activities.

Experts say strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation remains critical for African economies, where low tax-to-GDP ratios, weak tax administration, and illicit financial flows continue to limit governments’ ability to fund infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other key development priorities.

AfDB Approves $5.52m Grant to Boost Tax Administration Across West Africa

Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Floods In Kenya, 62 Confirmed Dead

At least 62 people have been killed in devastating floods in Kenya following days of intense rainfall that triggered widespread destruction across several parts of the country, authorities said.

The Kenyan government confirmed the fatalities on Saturday, saying the victims include 46 men, eight women and eight children who died as floodwaters swept through communities, destroyed homes and disrupted infrastructure.

In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration said the deadly floods in Kenya have affected 18 counties, leaving nine people missing and forcing 12,338 households to flee their homes.

“The National Disaster Management Unit has confirmed the number of fatalities from floods has risen to 62, including 46 men, eight women and eight children,” the ministry said.

Authorities revealed that Nairobi recorded the highest number of casualties with 33 deaths, highlighting the severe impact of the Kenya flooding disaster in the capital city.

The Eastern region reported 17 deaths, while seven people died in the Rift Valley region.

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“Elsewhere, Nyanza and the Coast regions have each recorded two fatalities, while the Central region has reported one death. Several regions of the country continue to experience heavy rainfall,” the ministry added.

The severe flooding in Kenya has caused widespread disruption to daily life. Officials said floodwaters have rendered several roads and bridges impassable, damaged water supply systems, and caused power outages in affected communities.

Schools have also been affected as access roads were cut off by floodwaters, forcing temporary closures in some areas.

Authorities said the torrential rainfall has also damaged residential buildings, farms, markets and small businesses, threatening livelihoods in rural and urban communities.

In Nairobi, flash floods caused by overflowing rivers submerged roads and swept away vehicles in some neighborhoods, prompting emergency rescue operations by government agencies and humanitarian organizations.

As part of ongoing mitigation efforts, officials said a mapping exercise under the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme has identified 37 flood-prone areas along major river corridors that remain highly vulnerable during periods of heavy rainfall.

Residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas have been urged to remain vigilant and prioritize safety as the rainy season intensifies.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that more heavy rainfall, flash floods and storms are expected in the coming days, raising fears that the Kenya flood death toll could increase.

Emergency responders, including disaster management teams and humanitarian agencies, are continuing search and rescue operations while providing assistance to displaced families across affected counties.

Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Floods In Kenya, 62 Confirmed Dead

12 Nigerien Soldiers, Civilian Killed in Deadly ISGS Ambush

At least 12 soldiers of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and a civilian truck driver were killed on March 11, 2026, after a military convoy was ambushed by suspected Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) militants in the Tahoua Region of Niger, according to security sources and regional experts.

The convoy, comprising roughly 50 personnel from the 42nd Infantry Battalion (BIA) and the Rapid Security Brigade (BSR), had been deployed to the area as reinforcements following a pipeline sabotage incident reportedly carried out by insurgents. The soldiers were travelling in a seven-vehicle convoy along the Yaya‑Tahoua road near Bagga village when they were caught in a coordinated ambush involving heavy gunfire and potentially explosives.

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Security expert Zagazola Makama reported that in addition to the fatalities, several soldiers sustained injuries, including the lieutenant leading the mission, who was shot twice in the arm, and seven soldiers remain missing. One of the wounded later died after being evacuated to a hospital in Tahoua, increasing the overall death toll.

The attack highlights the ongoing threat posed by ISGS and other jihadist groups in the Sahel, a region plagued by insurgency, porous borders, and attacks on both security forces and civilian infrastructure. The Tahoua Region has been a hotspot for such assaults, including ambushes targeting convoys and military outposts along key supply routes.

While Nigerien authorities have yet to release an official statement, security analysts warn that incidents like this underscore the challenges in protecting convoys and critical infrastructure such as pipelines from terrorist operations in the Sahel. The Sahel insurgency continues to destabilize communities, threaten regional security, and strain military resources despite ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

The ambush also comes amid heightened regional vigilance as Niger collaborates with neighboring countries and international partners to contain militant activities and protect strategic assets across its northern and central regions.

12 Nigerien Soldiers, Civilian Killed in Deadly ISGS Ambush