The Central African Republic bets on e-Tax to modernize tax collection 🇨🇫💰

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Faced with the challenge of resource mobilization, the Central African Republic (CAR) is adopting e-Tax. This digital platform is designed to simplify and enhance the collection of taxes and duties. The initiative aims not only to increase tax revenues but also to strengthen transparency and efficiency in administration.

Modernizing tax collection 📊

Until now, paying taxes in the Central African Republic was a lengthy and complex process. Taxpayers had to travel, fill out physical documents, and often deal with administrative delays. Now, with e-Tax, these procedures are conducted online, reducing queues and minimizing the risk of human errors.

Officially launched on January 27, 2025, this reform was introduced during a workshop in Bangui. The primary goal is to train officers from the Directorate General of Taxes and Domains (DGID) as well as taxpayers on how to use the platform. Thanks to this digital tool, large and medium-sized enterprises can declare and pay their taxes more easily.

Support from the European Union 🤝

The implementation of e-Tax did not happen in isolation. It benefits from the support of the European Union (EU), which is assisting CAR in its digital transition. According to Jean Marc Dewerpe, head of EU cooperation in the country,

« The modernization of tax administration through digitalization is a key lever for improving public revenue collection, ensuring transparency, and strengthening the fight against tax fraud. »

In concrete terms, this platform is expected to reduce management costs, limit corruption, and secure payments. Indeed, electronic transactions significantly reduce the risk of fund misappropriation.

Encouraging initial results 📈

Since its launch, e-Tax has seen gradual adoption. As of now, 301 large companies and 325 medium-sized enterprises are already registered on the platform. This progress indicates that economic actors are beginning to integrate this method into their practices.

Moreover, the platform offers several essential features:

• Online tax declaration: Taxpayers can submit their declarations directly online.
• Secure online payments: Payments can be made through reliable electronic channels.
• Archiving and tracking: Users have access to their payment history and can generate tax certificates in just a few clicks.

These features save considerable time and encourage more taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations.

A key issue for the country’s development 🌍

Improving tax collection is a priority for CAR, which seeks to strengthen its financial autonomy. According to the United Nations, the country ranks 182nd out of 193 in the Online Service Index, with a score of 0.0947 out of 1.

With e-Tax, the Central African Republic hopes to improve this ranking and mobilize more funding for infrastructure, education, and healthcare. By modernizing its tax administration, it also sends a positive signal to investors.

However, some challenges remain, including limited Internet access and low digital literacy rates. This is why awareness and training campaigns are essential to support this transition.

Towards a transparent administration 🔍

The adoption of e-Tax in the Central African Republic marks a significant step in the modernization of tax management. This platform could transform the relationship between the administration and taxpayers.

However, for this reform to be fully effective, citizens must embrace the tool. Meanwhile, the government continues to invest in improving its digital infrastructure.

👉 Your opinion matters !!  
Do you think this digitalization can strengthen citizens’ trust in the tax administration ?