What this life looks like
You operate at the intersection of law and finance, advising on the most complex tax disputes and structures. Tax Lawyers provide legal advice on taxation — going beyond the accountant's compliance work to advise on tax litigation, dispute resolution with revenue authorities, transfer pricing challenges, and the legal structuring of transactions to achieve tax efficiency. As African revenue authorities become more sophisticated and aggressive, tax lawyers are in greater demand than ever.
What she actually does
You advise clients on the legal interpretation of tax legislation, represent clients in disputes and appeals before tax tribunals and courts, review the legal validity of tax assessments issued by revenue authorities, advise on the legal aspects of international tax planning, assist with voluntary disclosure programmes, and advise companies on the legality of their tax positions.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Tax Law Practices | Webber Wentzel Tax (SA), Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Tax, Aluko & Oyebode Tax (Nigeria), Taxaide Law |
| Big 4 Legal/Tax | PwC Legal Africa, Deloitte Tax Legal, KPMG Tax Legal, EY Law Africa |
| Revenue Authorities | SARS (SA) legal division, FIRS (Nigeria) legal, KRA (Kenya) legal — regulators hire tax lawyers too |
| Development Finance | IMF Fiscal Affairs, AfDB tax policy team, African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) |
Why it matters in Africa
African revenue authorities are significantly increasing their capacity to challenge multinational tax planning and pursue domestic tax evaders. The OECD BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) project is reshaping international tax law applicable in Africa. Every major company operating across multiple African jurisdictions needs legal advice on tax risk. The shortage of qualified tax lawyers in Africa creates significant opportunities.
Your pathway in
- Study Law (LLB) or pursue a joint law and accounting qualification
- Specialise in taxation through an LLM in Tax Law or postgraduate qualifications from CIOT/CTA
- Gain experience in the tax practice of a major law firm or Big 4 firm
- Develop deep knowledge of your country's tax legislation and the OECD model tax convention
- Build skills in tax litigation — representing clients before tax tribunals and courts
Skills you will need
- Tax legislation interpretation
- Tax dispute resolution
- Transfer pricing
- International tax treaties
- Tax litigation
- Commercial law knowledge
A woman in this field
Nana Ama Sarfo
Ghana
Nana Ama is a tax law scholar, journalist, and policy expert who writes extensively on African tax law and international tax policy for major global publications including Tax Notes International. She has provided expert analysis and commentary on how international tax rules affect African countries' ability to collect revenue from multinational corporations, and is a respected voice on tax justice and Africa's fiscal sovereignty. She demonstrates the power of combining legal expertise with public advocacy.
Take your first step
- Research the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) at ataftax.org — it coordinates tax policy across the continent and publishes excellent resources
- Study what BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) means and why it matters for African tax revenue
- Research your country's Tax Court or Tax Appeal Tribunal — understanding the dispute resolution system is the gateway to tax law practice
- Follow Tax Notes Africa and African Tax Review for accessible analysis of African tax law developments