ATI 2025 Events ATI in in collaboration with Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) and Tax Justice Network, hosts Civil Society Organisations Summer School From 05 - 08 May 2025, the African Tax Institute (ATI) in collaboration with Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) and Tax Justice Network held the 2025 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Summer School. The theme of the 2025 CSOs Summer School was “Building the Next Generation of Tax Justice Champions”. Several delegates from African countries' tax administration authorities and non-profit organisations (NGOs) as well as academic staff attended the 2025 Summer School. The Summer School covered several topics, including: ·             The Global and Domestic Tax Environment ·             Taxation of the Informal sector ·             Transfer pricing of Intangibles ·             The UN Framework Convention ·             Negotiating Tax Treaties
Philippines Ambassador, H.E. Mrs Noralyn Jubaira Baja, pays a courtesy visit to the ATI On 7 May 2025 the Philippine Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Noralyn Jubaira Baja, paid the ATI a courtesy visit in preparation for a high-level international event titled: “Global Tax Governance – A View from the Global South” which will be held on 14 August 2025 at Future Africa, University of Pretoria, South Africa. This one-day event was jointly organised by the African Tax Research Network (ATRN) of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the African Tax Institute (ATI) at the University of Pretoria, and the Department of Finance, Republic of Philippines. The event will firstly, feature A Fireside Chat on the Theme: “Multilateralism and Unilateralism in a Globalized Economy: Is International Tax Cooperation at a Crossroad?”, which will explore the legal, political, and strategic challenges facing developing countries in shaping or responding to global tax frameworks. Secondly, the event will feature a Public Lecture on the Theme: “Implementing the Pillar Two Global Minimum Tax in the Philippines and in South Africa – the Opportunities and Challenges” which will consider practical reflections from key government officials and experts on the implementation of the global minimum tax. The event will be attended by officials from National Treasury, SARS, Tax Practitioners and academics from various universities.
ATI Public Lecture The ATI hosted a Public Lecture in February 2025 at which our PhD graduate, Dr Megan Labuschagne presented on her PhD topic entitled "A Regulatory Framework for Tax Whistleblowing in South Africa". Her presentation attests to an excellent piece of work which not only contributes to the body of tax knowledge but can also have an impact on society. We trust that her proposal for the enactment of provisions relating to “an incentivised tax whistleblowing programme" in South Africa will be of interest to National Treasury and SARS. Congratulations Megan! Much appreciation goes to her promoters Prof Fanie van Zyl and Prof Riel Franzsen, whose invaluable guidance over the years played a big role in achieving this milestone. Thank you Prof Karin Barack, the Deputy Dean for Research in the Faculty of Economic Management Sciences, for the hearty welcome to the guests. Much appreciation to South Africa's Tax Ombud, Ms Yanga Mputa, who gave an apt, captivating and affirming response to the lecture. A big thank you to Megan's employers VZLR Attorneys, for supporting Megan and for sponsoring the Public Lecture.

The 2025 ATI Mphil  in Taxation Cohort Honours Prof Estian Calitz

From 3-21 February 2025, the ATI MPhil Taxation students (from various African countries) attended contact classes on the UP campus. The MPhil in Taxation is  two-year hybrid learning course (contact and online modules) that equips  candidates with expertise in the multidisciplinary aspects of tax policy, the implementation and administration of taxes, and the economic and social impact of taxation. 

The program is primarily aimed at building tax policy and tax administration capacity within the public sector in African countries. However, participants from developing countries across the world also benefit from the development focus of the program. Over the years, the MPhil in Taxation has covered modules such as: income taxation; indirect taxation; tax governance and administration; comparative tax policy; international taxation; tax and development; tax analysis and revenue forecasting; land and property taxation; natural resource taxation - all taught from an African context.

The ATI has national and international instructors, with specialisations in various fields, such as law, economics and political science, history,  anthropology, sociology and psychology, as these fields are central to shaping the tax policy environments of countries.

At the end of the contact classes for the 2025 cohort, the ATI honoured Prof Estian Calitz, who has taught economics at the ATI for the past 15 years.  Prof Estian Calitz holds a PhD in commerce from Stellenbosch University. He is currently a Professor Emeritus of Economics and Research Associate at the Stellenbosch University. Before then, he served as:

• The former Director General of the Department of Finance (now the National Treasury) of the South African Government;
• Professor of economics at the University of South Africa
• Former Dean of the of the faculty at the economics and management sciences at  Stellenbosch University.

His main research and teaching interests are in the fields of macroeconomics, fiscal policy and public economics. He is the author and co-author of a number of articles in accredited journals and contributed to a couple of books, mostly in the field of public economics and economic policy.

 

ATI 2024 Events 9th African Tax Symposium

Tax professionals and industry leaders making a difference to Africa’s economic landscape!

The African Tax Institute (ATI) is proud to be an official supporter of IBFD’s 9th edition of the Africa Tax Symposium (ATS) in Nairobi, Kenya on 29-31 May. Established in 2015, the ATS has become Africa’s unparalleled dynamic symposium that elevates an understanding of the African tax landscape and brings together global industry leaders to discuss the latest issues impacting the continent. This year’s topics such as: ·         Transfer Pricing in Africa: Recent Developments – Cases, Legislation and Policy; ·         Issues in VAT on Cross-Border Digital Trade: Overcoming Practical Hurdles in Africa; ·         Trade and Investment in Africa: Opportunities, Obstacles and Practical Perspectives, and much more! Register today and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of taxation in Africa!

On 29-30 April 2024 the African Tax Institte (ATI), the University of Pretoria and the tax community held a two-day symposium in honour of Professor Riël Franzsen upon his retirement from the ATI. The symposium was arranged as a hybrid session, combining in-person and on-line presentations of papers that will culminate in a liber amicorum (book of friends).

Currently, Professor Franzsen occupies the South African Research Chair in Tax Policy and Governance. He has served as a policy advisor for various international entities (including the IMF and World Bank) in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. He specialises in land and property taxation. He has authored and co-authored many peer-reviewed papers and book chapters.

For the recorded online scientific sessions, please click the links below:

30^th April 2024 Second Session

Participants at Prof Riël Franzsen Symposium Scientific Programme

 

Riël Symposium Gala Dinner

Prof Annet Oguttu, Director ATI, Welcome Address at the Riel Franzsen Symposium

Prof Annet Oguttu, Director ATI, Speech at the Riel Symposium Gala Dinner

Prof Zolt_Bahl_McCluskey_ Speech

Prof Riël Franzsen Keynote Address

 

ATI-WU 2024 Summer School

On 2-3 May 2024 the African Tax Institute (ATI) in collaboration with Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) and Tax Justice Network held the 2024 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Summer School. The theme of the 2024 CSOs Summer School was Emerging Issues on The International Tax Agenda: The Changing Environment Within Which Tax Justice Is Operating. Several delegates from African countries' tax administration authorities and non-profit organisations (NGOs) as well as academic staff attended the 2024 Summer School.

The Summer School covered several topics, including:

• International Tax Reform — the changing environment within which tax justice is operating
• Trade-related illicit financial flows: minimising the risks and maximising benefits of the AfCFTA
• Rethinking taxation of high net-worth individuals
• The opportunities and risks of new technology in the tax area

For more information on the Summer School Project, please email the ATI at: [email protected]