Although a key determinant of poverty in Africa is the under-provision of public services, the preference for lower taxation and fewer public goods remains widespread. This column proposes a new explanation for why African tax revenues are so low. Rather than rely on standard arguments about accountability and governance, the author uncovers deep-seated ideas about the nature
In this episode of Between the Lines, Jalia Kangave interviews Mick Moore, and Wilson Prichard who authored the book Taxing Africa: Coercion, Reform and Development.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Source: Getty
Summary: Many African countries have placed economic diversification high on the policy agenda, yet they first need to define what it means in their specific structural and socioeconomic contexts.
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Summary
For decades, economic diversification has been a policy priority for low- and middle-income economies. In the words of former managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, “We know that economic diversification is good for growth. Diversification is also tremendously important for resilience.” Unfortunately, this goal continues to elude many African countries. In fact, the continent is home to eight of the world’s fifteen least economically diversified countries. This reality weakens the foundation of their economic transfomation and slows their pace of progress. It also makes these countries part