Expert Group Meeting “Increasing Domestic Resource Mobilization through Innovative Policies and Digital Technologies”
Domestic resource mobilization (DRM) is critical for fiscal independence and for financing the development of a country, particularly public spending and investment that are key for long run growth (education, health, infrastructures etc.).
DRM is not only about taxation and savings, but increasingly about how digital transformation can modernize fiscal systems, reduce leakages, and expand the tax base. Digitalization addresses structural bottlenecks—informality, weak compliance, and fragmented data systems (by introducing tools that make fiscal administration more efficient, transparent, and accessible).
Objectives:
The Experts Group Meeting aims to provide a platform for North African policymakers, practitioners, private sector representatives, and development partners to:
• Share national experiences on tax modernization through digital technologies and financial inclusion reforms.
• Examine how innovation, digitalization, and technology can enhance DRM in North Africa.
• Identify opportunities to leverage digital technologies for improved DRM.
• Discuss policy pathways to formalize informal activity.
Expected Outcomes:
• Enhanced understanding of the role of digital and technological innovations in strengthening DRM capacity across North Africa.
• Documentation of country experiences and innovations that can be adapted and scaled regionally.
• Actionable recommendations on improving tax administration through digital technologies.
• identification of priority areas for regional cooperation, capacity building, and international support.
Date & Time: November 12, 2025 at 9:00 am (GMT+1)
Format: Hybrid
Interpretation: Arabic, French and English
This event will be live streamed on 
Available at the end of the meeting
Speakers
Adam B. Elhiraika (PhD), is the Director of UNECA’s Subregional Office for North Africa. He previously served as Director of Macroeconomics and Governance Division and Macroeconomic Policy Division of ECA, and Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Sudan (2020-2022) on leave from the UN. Before joining ECA in 2004, he was a Research Economist at the Islamic Development Bank and Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at several universities. He published extensively in internationally refereed journals, books and reports.
Ali Hammad Ali, is an international tax policy and administration expert with over 25 years of experience across government, international organizations, and private advisory roles. As an Independent Tax Advisor, he provides strategic counsel on international taxation, transfer pricing, and corporate restructuring. Formerly a consultant with UNECA, he led major tax reforms in North and West Africa. He also worked with the OECD and advised Kuwait and Egypt’s Finance Ministries. He holds an M.A. from Keio University and is pursuing a PhD at Cairo University.
Joshua Aslett, is a Senior Economist in the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. Since 2006, he has advised governments worldwide through roles at the IMF, World Bank, and U.S. Treasury. His expertise spans GovTech, including digital transformation, IT, advanced analytics, and AI. He has authored IMF papers on analytics and AI and the VITARA course on IT and Data Management. He also manages IMF capacity development projects in Europe and the Middle East and holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and the University of Florida.
Dhafer Saidane (PhD), is a Full Professor at SKEMA Business School. He directs the MSc “Sustainable Finance & FinTech” (Paris–Dubai) and oversees the MSc “Corporate Financial Management” across multiple campuses. A former member of the Tunisian Prime Minister’s Economic Analysis Council, he chairs the African Finance Network and the Risk Committee of STB Finance. An expert for international institutions, he has authored seven books, including African Banks: The Great Challenges (2021), and co-founded the ESG impact platform Sustainable Performance Indicator (SPIScore).
Arthur J. Minsat (PhD), is Senior Economist and Head of the Africa, Middle East and Europe Unit at the OECD Development Centre. He leads flagship reports such as Africa’s Development Dynamics and Revenue Statistics in Africa, produced with the African Union Commission. Formerly at UNDP and the African Development Bank, he co-authored major reports on urbanisation, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure. With experience in academia and the private sector, he taught at the LSE, King’s College London and Sciences-Po, he is also a frequent media contributor (Reuters, CNBS, Le Monde, Les Échos, France 24).
Sami Mouley (PhD), is Professor of Macroeconomics and International Finance at ESSEC Business School, University of Tunis. With over 25 years of experience in academia, research, and international consultancy, he has served as Chief Economist at the Maghreb Bank for Investment and the Central Bank of Tunisia. He has advised North African governments on structural reforms and contributed to major reports for the African Development Bank, World Bank, UN agencies, and the EU.
