The Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), has renewed its partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through the African Regional Technical Assistance Centre in West Africa (AFRITAC West 2) to modernise Nigeria’s tax system and align it more closely with the country’s economic reform agenda.
AFRITAC West 2 is a collaborative initiative between the IMF, participating West African countries, and various bilateral and multilateral partners.
It was created in response to a call by African leaders for more targeted technical assistance aimed at building capacity in macroeconomic and financial management.
The centre provides technical support and training to Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Cabo Verde.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser, Communications and Advocacy to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, said the partnership with AFRITAC West 2 “continues to be instrumental in helping FIRS become a modern, efficient, and citizen-focused tax authority aligned with Nigeria’s broader economic reform agenda.”
As part of this ongoing collaboration, the FIRS hosted the AFRITAC West 2 Steering Committee at its headquarters in Abuja during the committee’s 12th regional meeting and field visit.
The engagement, Omokaro said, “Offered an opportunity to review progress, share insights, and discuss strategies to build more responsive public institutions across West Africa.”
The partnership, he said, has yielded tangible improvements in several critical areas of tax administration. FIRS, with support from AFRITAC West 2, has integrated behavioural insights into its taxpayer engagement strategies. This approach seeks to reshape how taxation is perceived, encouraging citizens to see tax payment as a civic responsibility rather than a burden.
In addition, a comprehensive analysis of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue gaps has been conducted under the guidance of AFRITAC West 2. Findings from this analysis are informing ongoing policy reforms and compliance strategies aimed at boosting VAT collection.
The collaboration has also focused on strengthening audit capacity, especially in high-risk sectors such as finance. Plans are underway to extend this specialised training to the telecommunications sector, which represents another significant source of tax revenue.
On the technology front, the FIRS has advanced its digital project portfolio management, improving how reforms are prioritised, tracked, and delivered. At the strategic level, the tax authority has introduced a more integrated framework that aligns departmental objectives with national revenue targets.
The meeting in Abuja provided a forum to deepen cooperation, exchange ideas, and reaffirm a shared commitment to building stronger revenue institutions across the subregion.
The FIRS believes that sustained engagement with AFRITAC West 2 and similar development partners will help accelerate reforms, increase voluntary compliance, and contribute to the broader goal of inclusive economic growth.
