CGT Associates | ACTEP – African Compliant Taxpayer Engagement

The problem we solve

Ghana’s informal economy employs the majority of the workforce yet contributes a fraction of total tax revenue. Text‑heavy, English‑only portals and complex forms were built for a small, formal minority—not for market traders, drivers, or micro‑business owners using 2G phones.

Most people are not unwilling to comply. The systems are simply too hard to use and too intimidating to trust.

Our approach – ACTEP

ACTEP – the African Compliant Taxpayer Engagement Programme – is our framework for inclusive, AI‑powered tax modernisation.

We design a citizen engagement layer that sits on top of existing tax systems and donor‑funded infrastructure, using:

African‑language conversational AI (Twi, Ewe, Ga, Pidgin, English)
Low‑friction channels (voice calls, WhatsApp‑style voice notes, SMS, web)
Behaviourally‑informed design (anonymous by default, plain‑language guidance)

The goal is simple: make it as easy and safe as possible for ordinary people to understand and meet their obligations.

Flagship: Ghana Voice‑First Tax Assistant (VFTA)

Our flagship implementation is the Voice‑First Tax Assistant (VFTA) for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)—a multilingual assistant that citizens can access by:

Calling a local number and speaking naturally in their preferred language
Sending voice notes or messages over common chat channels
Using web and future in‑app channels when appropriate

The VFTA is explicitly designed to complement, not compete with, existing programmes:

World Bank GovTech & Digital Public Infrastructure – VFTA provides the “last‑mile” citizen interface.
KOICA Tax Modernization Master Plan – VFTA acts as the voice/SMS front end to the integrated tax portal and MoMo‑identified taxpayers.
GIZ dLRev & Digital Transformation – VFTA offers a citizen‑friendly voice layer for local revenue systems in Ghana’s MMDAs.

For every cedi spent on the assistant, the objective is to unlock many multiples in sustainable domestic revenue, while reducing pressure on call centres and walk‑in offices.

See it in action

This short clip shows a market trader might use the assistant in a real Ghanaian market, speaking in her own language to understand what she owes and how to pay.

A market trader using the Tax Assistant prototype on her phone in a busy Ghanaian market.

Demo environment only – functionality, languages and integrations will expand further during full implementation.

How we work with funders and authorities

We design programmes that fit cleanly into World Bank, KOICA, GIZ and similar results frameworks, while staying grounded in the day‑to‑day reality of taxpayers and frontline staff.

Aligned with existing investments. We build on DPI, portals and data platforms already in place.
Prototype‑first. We use working systems early—not just slide decks—to validate value‑for‑money.
Structured handover. We include a clear transition plan so tax authorities retain capability and control.

If you represent GRA, Ministry of Finance, or a development partner and would like the detailed Ghana VFTA concept note or demo access, we would be happy to share.

Request the Ghana VFTA brief by email.

About CGT Associates

CGT Associates is a specialist advisory practice focused on AI‑enabled tax administration and domestic revenue mobilisation in African markets.

We bring together:

Deep experience in tax policy, systems and operational reality
Practical AI implementation and systems‑integration expertise
Understanding of how to align innovations with donor‑funded modernisation programmes

“We don’t start with documents. We start with working systems.”