Jeremiah Amosu - The Africa Tax Review

Nigeria: IMF Endorses New Tax Law, Flags Delay in Revenue Impact

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Nigeria: IMF Endorses New Tax Law. Following the signing into law of the Nigerian Tax Law last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed support for Nigeria’s sweeping tax reforms, …

NEWS

WHO Unveils Global Health Tax Initiative to Tackle Chronic Disease

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

WHO Unveils Global Health Tax Initiative to Tackle Chronic Disease. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a bold new campaign urging governments across the globe to adopt …

NEWS

Nigeria Signs Double Taxation Treaty with Rwanda

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Nigeria Signs Double Taxation. Late last week, Nigeria and Rwanda took a bold step toward strengthening fiscal cooperation by signing an agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention …

NORTHERN AFRICA

Egypt Closes Window for Tax Dispute Settlements Today, June 30

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Egypt Closes Window for Tax Dispute. Earlier today, Monday, June 30, 2025, the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) issued a final call to taxpayers with unresolved disputes, reminding them that today …

President Tinubu Sign Four New Tax Bills into Law Today, June 26, 2025

WESTERN AFRICA

What You Should Know About the Newly Signed Nigerian Tax Laws

June 26, 2025June 26, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Earlier today, Thursday, June 26th, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law four transformative tax bills aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s revenue framework, enhancing ease of doing business, and boosting …

WESTERN AFRICA

Kenya Enacts New Tax and Spending Laws to Fund 2025/26 Budget Priorities

June 26, 2025June 26, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Kenya Enacts New Tax and Spending Laws to Fund 2025/26 Budget Priorities. President William Ruto has recently signed three critical fiscal bills into law: the Finance Bill 2025, the Appropriation …

WESTERN AFRICA

Nigeria: Tinubu to Sign Four Tax Bills into Law Today, June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025June 26, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Nigeria: Tinubu to Sign Four Tax Bills into Law. Nigeria is on the brink of a significant tax reform milestone, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to sign four …

EASTERN AFRICA

Uganda Revenue Authority Urges Landlords to File Rental Income Tax Before June 30 Deadline

June 25, 2025June 25, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Uganda Revenue Authority Urges Landlords. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has issued a firm reminder to all landlords across the country: ensure your rental income tax returns are filed and …

WESTERN AFRICA

Nigeria Embraces Tax Dispute Resolution to Strengthen Compliance and Raise Revenue

June 25, 2025June 25, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Nigeria Embraces Tax Dispute Resolution to Strengthen Compliance and Raise Revenue. As part of its wider economic reform agenda, the Nigerian government has declared a renewed commitment to improving the …

Kenya’s Parliament has officially passed the 2025 Finance Bill, setting the stage for President William Ruto’s assent. The legislation, aimed at increasing domestic revenue collection, has sparked significant attention both for its tax compliance targets and for the withdrawal of a contentious proposal involving access to taxpayer data. Kenya Approves 2025 Finance Law: Data Access Proposal Struck Out A major talking point during deliberations was the Kenya Revenue Authority's (KRA) attempt to secure unrestricted access to taxpayers' financial information. The move drew sharp criticism from civil rights groups, opposition figures, and legal experts over potential breaches of privacy and constitutional protections. Responding to the public backlash, the parliamentary finance committee rejected the proposal earlier in the week. Lawmakers ultimately agreed that existing legal provisions already allow KRA to obtain financial records—so long as court approval is granted. Tax Compliance Takes Priority Despite the data access controversy, the broader thrust of the Finance Act remains clear: strengthening tax enforcement and improving compliance. The law is expected to help generate an additional KSh 30 billion (approximately $233 million), addressing a growing budget deficit without introducing sweeping new tax increases. Finance Minister John Mbadi, who presented the 2025/26 budget to Parliament, reiterated that boosting revenue without destabilizing the economy is a central policy priority. The proposed KSh 4.29 trillion ($33 billion) budget relies heavily on improving tax administration. Rwanda Introduces Sweeping Tax Reforms for 2025/26 Avoiding Last Year’s Mistakes Observers say the government is walking a fine line this fiscal year, wary of the backlash that followed the 2024 Finance Bill. Last year’s tax proposals sparked nationwide protests, resulting in over 60 deaths and a partial rollback of the planned KSh 346 billion in new tax measures. By narrowing its focus to enforcement and compliance rather than broad tax hikes, the 2025 law is seen as a more measured approach to domestic revenue mobilization. Next Steps: Presidential Assent With legislative approval secured, the bill now moves to President Ruto’s desk. His assent would make the Finance Act law and allow its provisions to take effect at the start of the 2025/26 fiscal year on July 1. Analysts: Compliance-Based Strategy a Safer Bet Tax experts commenting on the development noted that while the KRA’s push for expanded access to taxpayer data was ambitious, the retreat from the proposal likely preserved public trust and safeguarded constitutional norms. They also emphasized that a strategy focused on tightening existing loopholes, enhancing audits, and encouraging voluntary compliance could deliver long-term revenue growth without inflaming social tensions. Fiscal Tightrope for Kenya Kenya’s 2025 Finance Law reflects a delicate balancing act: increasing revenue while maintaining taxpayer confidence and respecting civil liberties. The coming fiscal year will test the success of this strategy, particularly in how it translates into real gains for the national treasury. As Kenya navigates fiscal pressures and public sentiment, this year's finance framework may serve as a model for other African economies pursuing compliance-driven tax reform.

EASTERN AFRICA

Kenya Approves 2025 Finance Law with Focus on Tax Compliance

June 23, 2025June 23, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Kenya’s Parliament has officially passed the 2025 Finance Bill, setting the stage for President William Ruto’s assent. The legislation, aimed at increasing domestic revenue collection, has sparked significant attention both …