Financing Africa

Attiya Waris

Description

Financing Africa�s development requires ingenuity, discipline, and an understanding of fiscal systems � the entirety of government revenues and expenditures, including taxation and debt. This book makes fascinating what might seem at first glance complex. It describes diverse approaches that have been adjusted to local circumstances across the continent and reflects on the push to unite and harmonise toward African union. Africa is rich, yet resources are lost through loopholes in fiscal systems. Financial resources come from the people, are not unlimited, and do not come easily or without cost. Africans must therefore cherish these resources and use them in nation-building and national and regional development. Efficient, effective, transparent and accountable fiscal systems that are fair and just will go a long way toward financing Africa�s development. Using examples from all of Africa�s 54 countries, the book makes fiscal matters real and understandable for people, no matter their field. It demonstrates the importance of fiscal law and policy for development and the impact it has on individuals, communities, nations, regional groupings, and the continent.

Informations

• Publié par: Langaa RPCIG
• Date de parution: 12 novembre 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789956551507
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

“Professor Waris’ work on fiscal and tax issues in Africa is a serious and helpful contribution. The subject is complex, but the book succeeds in presenting a clear, readable and interesting analysis.”

understanding of fiscal systems – the entirety of government revenues and

what might seem at first glance complex. It describes diverse approaches

reflects on the push to unite and harmonise toward African union.

Africa is rich, yet resources are lost through loopholes in fiscal systems.

Efficient, effective, transparent and accountable fiscal systems that are fair and just will go a long way toward financing Africa’s development.

Using examples from all of Africa’s 54 countries, the book makes fiscal matters real and understandable for people, no matter their field. It demonstrates the importance of fiscal law and policy for development and the impact

PROF. ATTIYA WARIS

F inancing Africa Financing Africa

Attiya Waris

ATTIYA WARIS

Financing Africa Attiya Waris

L a ng a a R esea rch & P u blishing CIG Mankon, Bamenda

Publisher: LangaaRPCIG Langaa Research & Publishing Common Initiative Group P.O. Box 902 Mankon Bamenda North West Region Cameroon [e-mail] www.langaa-rpcig.net Distributed in and outside N. America by African Books Collective [e-mail] www.africanbookscollective.com ISBN-10: 9956-551-49-x ISBN-13: 978-9956-551-49-1 © 2019 Attiya Waris All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or be stored in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher Reference as: Waris, A.Financing Africa. Bamenda: Langaa.

Praise for the Book “Professor Waris’ work on fiscal and tax issues in Africa is a serious and helpful contribution. The subject is complex, but the book succeeds in presenting a clear, readable and interesting analysis.” Mohammed “Mo” Ibrahim, Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation “As a reporter, I regularly dig into tax avoidance issues and illicit financial flows. Professor Waris’ clearheaded insights are a boon. We nonexperts can no longer say, ‘It’s all too complicated’ or ‘I don’t know where to start.’ This book provides resources for journalists to help keep issues of public interest on the front page.” Will Fitzgibbon, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists “This is an incredibly important book from one of the leading authors on Africa and taxation. Supported by a granular and insightful analysis of Africa’s 54 countries, this book is required reading for all those interested in taxation and sustainability. This is an exciting contribution, and strongly recommended.” Prof. Ann Mumford, Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London “This istheto read to understand fiscal systems and book development. It canvasses the entire African continent. Waris has combined economic data and law to make taxation and its impact on socioeconomic development understandable. Poorly designed tax policy has poor outcomes on tax revenues, results in market distortions, and drives consumption behaviors toward undesirable paths. Thorough analysis such as in this book should inform tax policy design, choice of tax instruments, and rate adjustments.” Prof. Njuguna N’dungu, Executive Director, African Economic Research Consortium “Drawing upon her wide knowledge of law, philosophy, and history, as well as the data resources of the University of Nairobi, Attiya Waris provides a carefully explained and extensively illustrated examination

of fiscal and tax issues confronting Africa. This important work thoroughly frames policy options and opportunities available to elected officials and administrators moving forward the economic and political wellbeing of the continent. Essential reading.” Raymond Baker, Founding President, Global Financial Integrity “Financing Africa unpacks the continent and explores the nexus between the management of fiscal policy and good governance. It lends insight into terms people consider technical and incomprehensible and uses real and contextualized examples. It will allow Africans to not only better understand each other but also to better interact and build their financial relationships.” Akere Muna, Member, High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa “A unique and valuable contribution to the commonwealth of learning on tax in Africa. Waris lucidly explains how the fiscal needs of governments are linked with fairness, administrability and economic growth in contemporary African tax systems. She draws on historical and interdisciplinary approaches to highlight the need for legitimacy, the rule of law and taxpayer rights to achieve tax compliance and effective collection.” Miranda Stewart, Professor of Law, University of Melbourne “In a continent constantly seeking to redefine her global standing, especially on the edge of Development Economics, Professor Waris bursts through with the reflective freshness and futuristic analysis that unmasks the complexities of the web of fiscal and tax laws in Africa, simplifying them to become useful tools for budget reform and social justice. Her comparative scrutiny of African fiscal systems and legal frameworks judiciously questions gaps in gender data and thus engenders discourse on opportunities for women within Africa’s taxation laws. Her analysis includes aspirational and profound citations and insights from African cultures. It will help us chart Africa’s future taxation path and, by extension, reduce inequalities

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across the continent. Her book is indeed a thinking mechanism that Africa desperately needs.” Memory Kachambwa, Executive Director, African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) “Financing Africaexamines the financial systems of different African countries and identifies systems, ideas and practices that promote the goals of the state while securing public participation and the rights of citizens to information. This continental perspective, which infuses eloquence and wit into highly technical subject matters and provides new insights into financing Africa’s development, is accessible to both experts and laypersons. Professor Waris shows the way forward for African integration, from a fiscal perspective. She adopts a people-centric approach to discourse on matters of taxation, reminding us all that the state is financed by the sweat of the brow of the citizenry, and, as such, governments should ensure that this limited resource is always prudently utilized. This thought-provoking read will undoubtedly be a staple point of reference in all discussions on financing Africa’s development.” Joseph K. Kinyua, Head of the Public Service of Kenya “Many African and non-African international governmental and non-governmental organisations have shown interest in the development of tax policies in Africa, and Professor Attiya Waris in this book applies a series of principles, concepts and considerations that enable the reader to form a balanced view on the development of tax policies in Africa and to understand that there is much more to study, and much more to do.” Jos Beerepoot, Global Tax Director, ABN AMRO Bank

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Dedication For All My People the People of the World and to their striving individually and collectively for better living standards for ALL

Acknowledgements The support from people across the world and of all ages, some of whom have now passed, has been inspiring. It has been a true joy to work with people who struggle to better understand the world in which we live. This book would never have been possible without the incredible teachers through whose hands I have passed. Also, my patient and kind parents allowed me space to focus on it. My inspirations: Khalajaan Noori, the most memorable influence outside of my parents, and Prof. Sol Picciotto, who continues to inspire and support my development as a researcher and teacher. Several professors have supported me on my journey: Len Seabrook, Ann Mumford, Kathleen Lahey, Gorik Ooms. So has my sister Annet Oguttu. My tribe: Lyla who challenges me. Milhia who encourages me to reach farther. Sameena who calms me, Sharon who checks on me (and, when need be, keeps me in check), and Maureen who always makes me laugh. Shabnam who celebrates with me and Shazeela who has my back! My colleagues, researchers and students: fellow teachers, researchers and students at the University of Nairobi, at KU Leuven, in Pretoria, and in Rwanda. Lecturers and researchers heard my ideas, pulled them apart, and encouraged me to continue this difficult journey. My wonderful students provided incisive feedback. Thank you! My team at the Committee on Fiscal Studies at the University of Nairobi: Bosire, Mary, Manuela, Bena, Mokeira, Stella, Nick, Dick, Jack, Maina, Elvis, Everlyn, Michelle, Moses, Vallarrie, Andrew, Joan, Waridah, Lesikel, Warren and Rushda. I have learnt a lot from you all and your energy. Your hunger for knowledge continues to inspire my research. My reviewers and editors: This journey to publication and the struggle to find an African publisher proved challenging. I cannot thank the Langaa team enough for making a difficult journey end so pleasantly. There are many others: those in international organizations like the UN, OECD, IMF, WB, AU, and ATAF; numerous researchers and finance and development-related ministry staff; revenue