The Minister of International Development Signed three Tax for Development Agreements
Press release | Date: 02/07/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
‘To support developing countries in their endeavors to finance their own development, fight poverty, and provide citizens with basic services, tax revenues must be increased. That’s why Norway has more than doubled its support since 2015 to help build better tax systems in developing countries’, said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust.
On the second day of the Financing for Development conference in Seville, Minister Aukrust signed three new agreements worth a total of NOK 134 million. The agreements aim to help developing countries increase public revenues and ensure that public funds are managed responsibly.
Norway’s tax-related development assistance has increased from NOK 134 million in 2015, to NOK 392 million in 2024.
The three agreements signed are with the regional organization for African supreme audit institutions (AFROSAI-E), the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The support to UNDP in particular will fund public financial management reforms in developing countries.
The agreements are part of Norway’s aid program Tax for Development.
Through Tax for Development, Norway supports broad programs through institutions such as the UN, IMF, World Bank, and OECD, as well as knowledge organizations, civil society organizations, and journalist associations. Norway also supports direct efforts and cooperation between the Norwegian Tax Administration and Statistics Norway with sister organizations in developing countries.
‘Tax revenue is a prerequisite for social and economic development in all countries. It can also help reduce inequality and give people opportunities and a better life’, said Aukrust.