BUSINESS
ARICA – Tax evasion in Africa: International trade, even worse than GAFA
L’actualité du jour, c’est comment Google a réussi en 2019 une évasion fiscale de 75 milliards $ (!) taking advantage of Ireland’s very flexible tax jurisdiction to export its taxable profit to the tax haven of Bermuda…
This case is a reminder of the growing responsibility of the digital sector in the erosion of fiscal resources that countries need to finance public spending.
Like Africa, the number of Internet users reached 600 million people according to undisputed statistics, and a significant share of them contribute to Google’s turnover. The tax evasion widely practised by digital multinationals is currently being fought by several countries, but this legitimate crusade must not obscure Africa’s main tax challenge.
For Chafik Ben Rouine, the president of the Tunisian observatory of the economy, The internationalization of the debate on illicit financial flows obscures the fact that the biggest erosion of the tax base in Africa is taking place in the international trade of goods and services. A position shared by Jean Mballa, the executive director of the NGO CRADEC, in Cameroon, whose recent study highlighted the fact that his country has lost in 10 years the equivalent of 31,$5 billion in foreign trade.
One of the ways of tax evasion in Africa is through the transactions that multinationals carry out with other subsidiaries of their groups. In its report on development in Africa, the black continent loses $88.6 billion a year due to false billing in international trade.
Management fees, trademark fees, financial services, transportation, etc. Because these services are invoiced by subsidiaries located outside African countries, several tax administrations in the region tax them at a minimum and sometimes even deduct the resulting expenses from the tax base. Thus, according to data from the Centre for International Trade, between 2015 and 2019, African countries bought international services for a total of $781 billion.
A stock of capital that enjoys a tax that is more than tolerant, but a strong desire for change is expressed all over the world in this regard. The FACTI Panel, a body set up by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has made innovative proposals. It suggests, for example, that any action by individuals or companies that reduces the resources that can finance development in the world should be sanctioned.
Even the USA has put an end to the tax dumping race by announcing its adherence to the principle of a minimum tax rate for multinationals. Certainly, African and international NGOs are waiting to see whether these good intentions will be confirmed in political acts.
For Tax Justice Network, a London-based NGO, people in poor countries will begin to experience a beginning of tax justice, when the principles of automatic exchange of financial and tax information are applied worldwide, country-by-country financial performance reporting, real property ownership transparency, and an international asset management register.
Source: Ecofin Agency/ By Idriss Linge
The presidency of Togo has announced that the project to exploit the manganese mine of Nayega, located in the Savanes region in the north of the country, is entering its operational phase. According to a statement issued on June 10, 2025, production is scheduled to start at the end of June 2025, with an initial volume of 4,000 tons per month, which should gradually double to reach 8,000 tons per month.
Keras Resources is the technical partner retained by the Togolese government to carry out this project. A statement from Keras, relayed by the presidency, details that the company signed a cooperation agreement in 2023 with the Togolese state, owner of the mine through the Togolese Manganese Company (STM). Under the terms of this agreement, Keras will receive a remuneration of 1.5% of the mine’s gross revenue for three years for its advisory services, as well as 6% for brokering services.
The reserves of the Nayega mine are estimated at 8.5 million tonnes, which would allow exploitation over a period of 11 years. The authorities of Lomé welcome the expected contribution of the mine to the national budget, a benefit that should be strengthened by the rigorous management of the generated revenues, as indicated by our colleagues from Agence Afrique.
With a growing global demand for manganese, particularly in steel alloys and renewable energy technologies, Togo is seeking to assert itself as an essential supplier of this strategic ore. This positioning could play a catalytic role for the national economy, always according to information from the Africa Agency.
Source: senego / Photo credit: Republicoftogo.com
The Gabonese government decided on Friday to ban the import of broilers in order to promote national poultry production and ensure food security, according to the final communiqué of the council of ministers chaired by the head of state, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The ban will be effective from 1 January 2027, thus leaving a period of 18 months (1 year and 6 months) for actors in the sector to structure themselves, invest and prepare to meet national demand.
“This measure aims to restore domestic poultry production, boost agricultural investment, reduce food dependency and strengthen the trade balance,” the government hopes. Gabon also hopes to foster “the emergence of a network of rural jobs, the rise in quality of products consumed locally and the creation of an economic ecosystem around this sector”.
The government has also planned a detailed operational plan to be presented within 45 days by the ministers responsible for economy and trade.
Libreville dreams of reducing its dependence on poultry imports and strengthening the country’s food security. In addition, the promotion of local poultry farming should have a positive impact on rural areas, generating jobs and contributing to the development of a vibrant poultry ecosystem.
Imported frozen chicken is the most consumed food in Gabon because of its low price and packaging ready to be thrown into a pot.
“The star of the freezer” is how Gabonese people refer to frozen chicken because it is often the only food, if not the default food, found in the freezers of Gabonese families.
Frozen chicken and meat are generally imported from Latin America and Europe. Their massive presence on the market has destroyed local production.
The Council of Ministers also announced a ban on exporting crude manganese from 1 January 2029. The objective is to promote local industrial development, create jobs and maximize the value of this resource, of which Gabon is the world’s second largest producer.
Sources: gabonactu.com
Mauritania is in the spotlight. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Sidi Ould Tah was elected president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), at the annual meeting of the institution held in Abidjan. He succeeds Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, in office since 2015.
His election came after a hard-fought duel against Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia, who finished in second place. The election, which was marked by major geopolitical and economic issues, took place against a background of high expectations regarding governance and development financing on the continent.
The Senegalese Amadou Hott, long perceived as one of the favorites, finishes in third place, followed by the South African Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala. Despite significant diplomatic support, notably for Hott, the momentum in favour of Sidi Ould Tah has prevailed in the last few rounds.
Former minister and general manager of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Sidi Ould Tah is recognized for his experience and strategic vision. He will officially take office on 1 September 2025.
Photo credit: Forbes Africa
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