British taxpayers funding £20m training program for tax collectors in Ethiopia

The British public is funding a £20 million training program for tax collectors in Ethiopia, as revealed by The Telegraph. The UK government aims to create a more ‘business-friendly’ system in Ethiopia while preparations for a potential tax-raising Budget are underway in the UK led by Rachel Reeves. This initiative, known as the ‘Tax Transformation Programme’, is supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and seeks to help Ethiopia generate more revenue domestically to decrease reliance on external aid. Objectives of the program include enhancing voluntary compliance, providing training for staff, and establishing a tax structure that is conducive to business growth. Critics argue that resources should be directed towards improving the tax system in the UK rather than being allocated to overseas projects.