African countries are heavily dependent on regressive taxation, such as value-added tax, and the richest people and the multinationals do not pay their fair share of taxes. It’s time to crack down on the tax evaders, especially the digital and pharmaceutical giants.
, governments are terrified about increasing their spending by large amounts to support the economy. As for international solidarity, it remains very modest. However, let’s be clear: for Africa, as for the rest of the world, austerity is not an option.
This pandemic has reminded everyone that public services are precious. Everywhere, we have seen doctors fighting to save lives and teachers competing creatively to keep in touch with their learners. Women’s workloads have increased even more: those who were already spending more thancaring for children deprived of schools, the elderly, the sick and their homes, without pay, are on the verge of exhaustion.
This is costly, and it is really just about answering one question: who will pay, if we do not want this burden to fall on the most fragile populations? One of the problems is the weakness of tax regimes that have significant redistribution effects, making African countries heavily dependent on regressive taxation, such as value-added tax. Another issue is that the richest and the multinationals do not pay their fair share of taxes.
It is crucial to turn to the digital giants, the champions of tax evasion: they are the most successful at manipulating the international tax system, by, and almost nothing in countries where corporate taxes are higher, even if it is where they concentrate their activities. Ironically, they are also the big winners of the pandemic, as their activities require little physical contact with customers.
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