Prof Nara Monkam, an Associate Professor of Public Economics in the Department of Economics and Head of the Public Policy Hub at the University of Pretoria (UP) has been appointed as the Chair in Municipal Finance at the African Tax Institute, within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, effective from 1 March 2024.

The Chair in Municipal Finance is funded by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge in the USA and symbolises a profound commitment to advancing municipal finance across Africa. This marks a significant milestone towards sustainable urban development and financial governance. The Chair in Municipal Finance is dedicated to confronting the challenges encountered by African cities and smaller municipalities head-on. With a focus on property taxation, land-based financing tools, expenditure needs, and urban planning, it aims to address these challenges effectively.

It is envisioned to have a substantial impact in three main areas: research and research collaboration, teaching and learning, and community engagement. Through transdisciplinary and innovative research, it will inform policy decisions and drive sustainable development across African cities. Furthermore, by offering specialised courses and training programmes to local officials and African scholars, as well as supervising doctoral students, the Chair will contribute to building expertise in municipal finance and taxation in Africa. These initiatives will foster collaboration among academia, government, and internationally acknowledged experts in this field, driving positive change at the grassroots level.

The establishment of the Chair represents a significant step towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. By strengthening the financial capacity of African municipalities and promoting sustainable urban development, this initiative has the potential to improve the lives of millions across the continent. Academics, policymakers, development partners, stakeholders, and communities are invited to get involved with the Chair for a transformative journey. Interested individuals and entities can contact Prof Monkam via email at [email protected] to get involved.

Before her appointment at UP, Prof Monkam served as Director of Research at the African Tax Administration Forum, overseeing the organisation's research initiatives to inform tax policy and reforms across Africa. In addition, she contributed as a member of the Davis Tax Committee, which focused on evaluating the South African tax system. Her expertise and research interests primarily revolve around public economics, domestic resource mobilisation, tax policy, tax administration, intergovernmental fiscal relations, and property taxation reforms.