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Local Government Taxation in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Fjeldstad, Odd-Helge
  • Chambas, Gérard
  • Brun, Jean-Francois

Abstract

This paper reviews the state of knowledge on local government revenue systems in Africa, with a particular focus on commonalties and differences between Francophone and Anglophone countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis addresses the composition of local government ‘own’ revenues, administrative practices, and how the current revenue system affects economic efficiency and accountability. Based on findings from the review and knowledge gaps identified, areas for further research on local government revenue mobilisation are suggested. Combining research on the technical and administrative framework for local taxation with the political and economic realities at the local and central levels has the potential to identify constraints and practices that can guide policy work and be used as benchmarks to assess actual policy implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Fjeldstad, Odd-Helge & Chambas, Gérard & Brun, Jean-Francois, 2014. "Local Government Taxation in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers 13710, Institute of Development Studies, International Centre for Tax and Development.
    • Handle: RePEc:idq:ictduk:13710
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    File URL: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/13710
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Masaki, Takaaki, 2018. "The impact of intergovernmental transfers on local revenue generation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 173-186.
    3. Asatryan, Zareh & Baskaran, Thushyanthan & Birkholz, Carlo & Hufschmidt, Patrick, 2021. "Regional redistribution of mineral resource wealth in Africa," ZEW Discussion Papers 21-032, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    4. Tahir Yousaf & Qurat ul Ain & Yasmeen Akhtar & Wasi Ul Hassan Shah, 2022. "The Crowding in (out) Effect of Intergovernmental Transfers on Local Government Revenue Generation: Evidence from Pakistan," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 242(3), pages 3-28, September.
    5. Roukiatou Nikiema & Pam Zahonogo, 2017. "Taxpayer behaviour and institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa," BeFinD Working Papers 0119, University of Namur, Department of Economics.
    6. Richard M. Bird, 2015. "Fiscal Decentralization and Decentralizing Tax Administration: Different Questions, Different Answers," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper1509, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.

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