The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFP) to strengthen tax administration and promote deeper cooperation between both countries.
Gatekeepers News reports that the DGFP — France’s Directorate General of Public Finances — is a central government agency responsible for public finance management, including taxation.
According to a statement by Dare Adekanmbi, special adviser on media to the FIRS chairman, the agreement was signed on Wednesday at the French Embassy in Abuja. FIRS chairman Zacch Adedeji signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Marc Fonbaustier, the French ambassador, represented the DGFP.
Speaking on the partnership, Adedeji said the MoU reflects a mutual commitment to developing “stronger, more resilient and forward-looking tax administrations” in both nations.
He highlighted digital transformation as a major pillar of the collaboration, noting that Nigeria stands to gain from France’s expertise in technology-driven taxpayer services, compliance management and data-informed enforcement.
Adedeji said Nigeria would, in turn, offer France lessons from its rapid digital adoption and innovations shaped by a fast-growing, tech-savvy population. “This two-way exchange is essential as both countries adapt to emerging challenges such as Artificial Intelligence deployment, cybersecurity, and cross-border taxation,” he said.
The FIRS boss added that Nigeria intends to deepen engagements with international partners, describing the partnership with France as an opportunity for both tax bodies to exchange ideas, share innovations and learn from each other.
He also identified workforce development as another key area of cooperation. “While we look forward to learning from France’s well-structured human capital systems, particularly in professional standards, continuous learning, and organizational discipline, we also believe that our experience in managing a young, dynamic and diverse workforce will offer valuable insights to DGFIP,” he said.
“Together, we can develop models that strengthen institutional culture, build global competencies, and prepare our respective institutions for the future of public finance administration.”
Adedeji said the MoU would also advance collaboration in international taxation, information exchange, transfer pricing and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) work. As economic activity becomes increasingly borderless, he said, intelligence sharing and harmonised approaches between both countries will be critical. “This MoU provides exactly the platform we need to deepen that cooperation,” he stated.
He added that as Nigeria transitions to the Nigeria Revenue Service era, the partnership will help build a modern, trusted and globally connected revenue administration.
On his part, Ambassador Fonbaustier emphasised the importance of collaboration between the two countries while signing the agreement.
