Public Policy Dialogues

FollowTaxes was set up to work on improving fiscal transparency and curb corruption by improving the business environment and ease of paying taxes in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Among the projects, the major tools are the Public Policy Dialogue (PPD). The PPD is a platform where government, professionals, and the citizens interface on critical issues that need to be discussed for prioritization or validation across Nigeria. The PPD is to provide revenue agencies and their taxpayers with a platform to, among other issues, clarify the mandates of the agency and other revenue collection agencies; present an overview of tax/rates collection strategies; sensitize citizens on its annual targets and performance; disseminate the sanctions and penalties on defaulters/evaders; ask relevant questions on processes and procedures; voice out challenges and advice on ways out with the goal to enhance collective ownership of the process.

The project has planned eight (8) PPDs around 8 states. Since inception of the project, we have successfully conducted the PPDs in Kaduna, Abuja, Kano and Sokoto with plan to hold the engagement in Kwara, Bauchi, Taraba and Lagos.

The project yielded a good turn around in the interest of people living in rural areas, on record-keeping, taxation, and following taxes through asking questions. We have increased awareness on Open Government Partnership, Nigeria and received a sizeable number of activities, questions, and invitations from the rural areas on taxation and budget processes. We have trained more than 62 community groups and individuals under the project and provided a platform where government and citizens interface on critical issues that need to be discussed for prioritization and validation.