The digital economy is more than just technology and the internet. In today’s ever-evolving business environment, organisations that are leveraging the tools and benefits of the digital economy are proving to be more adaptable and resilient.
Across Africa and globally, the digital economy is transforming the way that businesses are operating, interacting with their consumers and competing on a global scale.
Today, generative AI (genAI) is heavily influencing the development of the digital economy, and this is something that business leaders are very cognisant of.
In PwC’s 27th Annual Global CEO Survey, CEOs said they are overwhelmingly seeing genAI as a catalyst for reinvention that will power efficiency, innovation, and transformational change, while nearly three-quarters (70%) said they believe it will significantly change the way their company creates, delivers and captures value in the next three years.
Today, an increasing number of transactions and activities are being conducted across borders and online through digital platforms. This has resulted in the traditional concepts and rules of taxation no longer being adequate for revenue authorities to tax digital service providers.
Tax authorities are well aware of Africa’s growing digital economy, and when digital activities and transactions take place within their jurisdictions (or with residents of their jurisdictions), authorities have a vested interest in collecting tax revenue from these activities while hopefully avoiding double taxation, double non-taxation, tax evasion and erosion of the tax base.
To that end, several African countries have introduced or amended their value-added tax (VAT)/goods and sales tax (GST) and other indirect tax laws and regulations to tax the digital economy. This has been done by expanding the scope of taxation to cover electronic services supplied by non-resident providers to local consumers.
In PwC’s newly launched 2024 VAT Guide in Africa: Digital Services publication, the company takes a closer look at the taxation of the digital economy in Africa. The publication is a special edition of its VAT in Africa Guide, an annual report that focuses on new rules and measures that have been introduced to tax the digital economy by countries across Africa, especially for electronically supplied services (ESS) across borders.
Job Kabochi, PwC Africa indirect tax leader, says: “Currently, there is no uniform or harmonised approach to taxing the digital economy in Africa. Different tax policies in different countries reflect significant variations and complexities in their definitions of services liable to tax, value thresholds, and tax rates and requirements associated with registration, compliance and enforcement.”
He adds that non-resident suppliers of ESS often find that increasingly, most countries in Africa are taxing both Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer supplies.
“Additionally, the legal framework in many countries remains fluid with regard to the definition and scope of services that qualify for taxation as digital supplies,” Kabochi says. “In short, rules and measures may not align to internationally accepted best practices and therefore create uncertainty, confusion and controversy for both tax authorities and taxpayers.”
Africa’s digital transformation is continuing to reshape economies and societies. Soaring rates of mobile phone penetration and the rapid adoption of mobile technologies, rising levels of internet access and the innovative spirit of Africa’s entrepreneurs are all contributing to this ongoing transformation.
Matthew Besanko, PwC South Africa indirect tax leader, says: “Smartphone adoption in particular has enabled access to the internet – even in remote areas – and has facilitated mobile banking and e-commerce among many other services.
“Digital transformation efforts have also fostered the emergence of local tech hubs and startups that are developing solutions for unique challenges and opportunities across Africa, while digital education platforms are also addressing some of the gaps in Africa’s educational systems and providing scalable opportunities for learning and development.
“These efforts are a clear indication that Africa’s digital transformation is continuing to significantly contribute to the continent’s economic growth, innovation and improved quality of life.”
The World Bank estimates that Africa’s digital economy could contribute up to $180-billion to GDP by 2025 and create millions of jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurs – particularly for the youth and women.
Pamela Natamba, PwC Uganda tax partner, says: “As the digital economy continues to evolve, and as tax authorities continue to adjust to Africa’s remarkable digital transformation, it is essential for businesses to understand and closely monitor tax developments affecting the digital economy in every country where they supply digital services.”
Of the 54 countries in Africa, 21 have already enacted rules for non-resident suppliers to account for VAT/GST on ESS with five more countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Mali, Republic of Congo and Rwanda) in the pipeline.