Digital public infrastructure (DPI) is rapidly becoming a key player in modernizing tax systems, offering the potential to streamline tax administration in increasingly digital economies. However, questions remain about how governments in low-income countries can fully harness its power.
During a recent IDS seminar, Research Fellow Fabrizio Santoro and Research Officer Celeste Scarpini shared insights from the DIGITAX Research Programme, a collaboration with the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD), based at IDS. Their findings shed light on how critical DPI components—such as digital ID systems, digital payments, and data exchange frameworks—are already being utilized in African tax administrations.
Santoro and Scarpini outlined both the opportunities and challenges in implementing these technologies, emphasizing the importance of continued research to better understand their long-term impact. The seminar also featured Caroline Khene, lead of IDS’ Digital and Technology Cluster, who explored the broader challenges of digital reforms in government and their connection to DPI’s potential. The session was chaired by ICTD Research Director Martin Hearson.
Watch it here:
