ACBF co-hosted the inaugural International Conference on Taxation of the Digital Economy (ICTDE 2025) from 15 to 16 April 2025 in Dakar, Senegal, under the theme “Strengthening Capacity for Effective Digital Taxation in Africa.”.

The event brought together over 300 in-person participants from more than 26 countries, including policymakers, tax experts, development partners, and private sector actors, to shape a unified African approach to taxing the digital economy.

The conference attracted wide engagement, with 261 virtual attendees, 50 journalists, 37  institutions, and 32 featured speakers reinforcing the event’s global relevance and reach.

Officially launched by Senegal’s Minister of Finance and Budget, Cheikh Diba, the conference was held in partnership with the Government of Senegal, the African Union Commission, the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the Finnish Institute of Public Management (HAUS), and Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Over two days, participants engaged in six thematic sessions and a series of country case studies. Discussions explored VAT in the digital era, cross-border service taxation, emerging technologies, and institutional frameworks for reform. Speakers emphasized the urgency of establishing Africa-led standards and boosting the continent’s negotiation capacity in global tax forums.
Key outcomes included a formal resolution to develop a harmonized digital tax strategy, the launch of ACBF’s BETA Program through Ubora Academy, and renewed commitments to scale capacity building and align policies across African jurisdictions.

ACBF also unveiled its refreshed brand identity, reflecting its renewed focus on fiscal transformation and institutional leadership. ICTDE 2025 offered a vital platform for coordination and knowledge exchange, positioning Africa more firmly in the international tax dialogue and reaffirming the continent’s ambition to lead with strategies rooted in fairness, innovation, and shared growth.

Testimonials from the conference

During the conference, participants and partners from the Zambia Revenue Authority,

National Academy of Customs and Taxes, India and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland shared their insights: