After 4 years, 16 country-teams and 91 participants, the International Capability Building Programme (ICBP) on Voluntary Tax Compliance (VTC) came to an end in February 2025.

Applying the problem driven iterative adaptation (PDIA) approach, the ICBP supported officials from tax agencies and ministries of finance from Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Kenya to tackle locally nominated compliance problems. The programme aimed to strengthen capabilities for increased domestic resource mobilisation while adopting a Voluntary Compliance perspective – an aspect that has traditionally been neglected in tax policy and administration reforms. By incorporating diverse perspectives and tackling tax compliance issues with an understanding of taxpayer incentives, the programme has paved the way for a more inclusive dialogue around voluntary compliance and localised solutions to compliance problems.

Throughout the duration of the programme, CABRI and the Swedish Tax Agency (STA) provided support and guidance to country-teams by assigning a dedicated coach to each. This coaching approach marks a shift from conventional technical assistance, emphasising not only the implementation of technical solutions but also the development of the capabilities of country-teams through facilitated and practical learning, iteration and adaptation.

To amplify the sustainable impact of change within the administrations that participated in the ICBP programme, CABRI and STA have decided to collaborate once more to train former participants in leadership and coaching techniques. This training will empower them to drive change and assist others in implementing change processes within their own administrations using the PDIA approach.

The training programme consists of five online sessions that will revisit key PDIA concepts and tools while exploring coaching strategies and techniques to empower country-teams in leading change initiatives. This programme will culminate in an in-person workshop in Cape Town, South Africa, where participants will focus on building effective and resilient teams capable of navigating the complexities of change within their own organisations.