The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is intensifying efforts to unify fiscal policies across its 12-member bloc, sending assessment missions to Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau to evaluate their progress on tax harmonization.
ECOWAS officials, led by Director of Customs Union and Taxation Salifou Tiemtore, spent a week in both nations, reviewing the implementation of eight fiscal directives and two supplementary acts. These measures are central to the bloc’s goal of creating a unified trading area serving its 300 million citizens.
Guinea-Bissau received a positive assessment for its Value-Added Tax (VAT) implementation in January 2025, a move that has already boosted revenue collection. The country also established a dedicated unit to prepare its first-ever Tax Expenditure Report for 2024 and 2025, a significant step toward greater fiscal transparency.
Cabo Verde was commended for its strong political commitment to fiscal integration, with ECOWAS noting ongoing reforms within its Finance Ministry. While specific details were not disclosed, these reforms are seen as crucial for aligning national policies with regional objectives.
Despite the progress, both nations face significant hurdles. The ECOWAS team identified persistent challenges, including limited human resources, technical capacity constraints, and financial limitations. Political instability in Guinea-Bissau and a general need for enhanced institutional coordination across both countries remain key obstacles.
In an effort to provide support, ECOWAS has committed to offering ongoing technical and financial assistance to help member states align their fiscal systems with regional standards. This push for deeper economic integration comes after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from the bloc in January 2025, leaving the remaining members to advance the regional agenda.
