In the week of Monday 4 to Friday 8 August 2025, the Guinean capital hosted an important regional workshop of the West African Tax Administrations Forum (FAFAO). Representatives of the 16 member countries of FAFAO discussed the crucial issues related to the taxation of natural resources, in a context of strong pressure on public revenues. Exchanges took place alongside technical and financial partners.

The FAFAO is focused on the theme: “strengthening fiscal control and information exchange capacities in the extractive sector in West Africa”. The opening of the work mobilized several senior officials, including members of the Guinean government and officials including members of the Guinean government and representatives of the World Bank, with the remarkable presence of Prime Minister Bah Oury.

The Director General of Taxes, Fatoumata Foula Diallo, recalled in her welcome speech, the continuing difficulties of countries in the sub-region in effectively capturing revenue from their mineral resources. According to him, “despite the extractive potential, our countries are struggling to mobilize mining revenues effectively. The extractive sector, due to its complexity, requires strengthened skills in tax control and information exchange.” He emphasized the need for “innovative strategies to broaden the tax base, secure revenue and combat fraud and tax evasion.”

For his part, Jules Tapsoba, Executive Secretary of FAFAO, emphasized the importance of the event for the region, noting that the workshop was made possible thanks to the support of the World Bank through its program to support extractive industries in Guinea. He states that “West Africa is richly endowed with mineral resources, but our countries continue to face persistent challenges in taking adequate and fair withdrawals. Complex financial arrangements and opacity in sharing data have led to significant fiscal losses.”