Ms. Mary Baine, Executive Secretary of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), has hailed the ATAF Women in Tax Mentorship Programme as a transformative force for gender equity in African taxation, crediting outgoing Chairperson Her Excellency Madam Veronique Herminie, First Lady of Seychelles, for laying an unshakable foundation that has empowered 250 women across the continent.
Speaking from the sidelines of the programme’s fourth cohort graduation ceremony in Algiers, Ms. Baine praised Her Excellency’s four-year stewardship of the ATAF Women in Tax Network (AWITN), which she described as “a masterclass in visionary leadership.” Since 2022, the First Lady has personally mentored every cohort, pairing emerging tax professionals with seasoned executives to build confidence, sharpen skills, and open doors to decision-making roles once dominated by men.
“Her commitment is not abstract; it is lived,” Ms. Baine declared. “Spending this week in Algiers is proof of the value she places on lifting others. We cannot describe our appreciation—only say: may God go before you in all you do. ATAF is truly grateful.”
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The programme, now a flagship of AWITN, has become a continental pipeline for women leaders in tax policy and administration. Mentees report breakthroughs in negotiation, digital tax systems, and cross-border revenue strategies, while mentors gain fresh perspectives on inclusive governance.
Her Excellency Herminie, reflecting on her own journey, told the gathering: “I am not certain when mentoring became part of my life, but there is such a satisfying feeling knowing that by listening, sharing, supporting, and guiding someone to challenge themselves and ‘be more,’ you have changed a life for the better. Enjoying a front-row seat to their success brings joy and pride—and gives meaning to my own existence.”
Ms. Baine announced that the mentorship model will now be scaled to include peer-to-peer circles in francophone and lusophone tax authorities, with a digital platform launching in 2026 to connect mentors and mentees in real time. “This is no longer a programme; it is a movement,” she said. “Her Excellency’s legacy ensures that every tax office in Africa will one day have a woman at the table—not as a token, but as a trailblazer.”
