By: Aminata Sesay
The Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Jeneba J. Bangura, has called for stronger gender-responsive reforms in tax administrations across Africa, emphasising the need for deliberate actions to increase women’s leadership and participation in the sector.
Bangura made the call while delivering the keynote address at the fifth anniversary celebration of the African Tax Administration Forum Women in Tax Network (AWITN). She spoke in her capacity as Chairperson of the AWITN Board of Directors and Co-Coordinator of the Tax and Gender Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters.
Reflecting on the milestone, Bangura said the anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate progress while recognising that significant work remains to ensure equal opportunities for women within African tax institutions. She aligned her message with the United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2026, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” urging governments and institutions to transform commitments into practical policies that empower women and girls.
Bangura noted that AWITN was established in 2021 to address long-standing disparities in employment opportunities, income levels, and representation in leadership roles within tax administrations. She emphasised that the continued underrepresentation of women in senior positions highlights the urgent need for reforms based on reliable gender data and stronger institutional accountability.
She also reaffirmed the Network’s commitment to implementing its 2026–2030 Strategy, which focuses on institutional transformation, strengthening gender data systems, and advancing women’s professional growth in tax administrations across Africa.
Bangura commended countries that have begun implementing gender-focused reforms and acknowledged the efforts of Sam Shivute, whose advocacy helped increase the number of signatories to the AWITN Pledge from 14 in 2024 to 23 in 2025.
Highlighting developments in Sierra Leone, Bangura reiterated her commitment to promoting women’s leadership within the NRA. She said the authority will continue strengthening mentorship opportunities, expanding professional development programmes for female staff, and implementing institutional reforms that enable women to excel.
She concluded that advancing gender equality in tax systems is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and promoting sustainable development across Africa.