The use of mobile phones is a global phenomenon that provides developing countries with novel opportunities to enhance economic growth and facilitate improvement in the welfare of citizens. Governments have introduced mobile money taxes to improve tax revenue generation. This has been met with criticism by the public, media, and businesses on the basis that they hinder financial inclusion, constrain economic growth, and impede the attainment of some of the 2030 sustainable development goals, such as reduction in poverty, minimising inequality, building strong institutions, and providing decent work. Through a comprehensive critical review of literature, this study discusses mobile money taxes and their effects on revenue mobilisation, financial inclusion, and the attainment of the 2030 sustainable development goals. The findings reveal mixed opinions. While some scholars argued that mobile money taxes were instrumental in improving revenue generation, tax compliance, and reducing tax administration and compliance costs, some suggested otherwise, pointing out their negative impact. The unfavourable externalities include reduced financial inclusion, affordability challenges, reduction in usage of mobile money platforms, increased poverty and inequality, and ultimately the non-achievement of SDGs. The study contributes to the theoretical literature on the body of taxation and financial inclusion. It also gives insights to policymakers regarding likely implications of mobile money taxes.

Discussions on the impact of climate change and ways of protecting climate change impact driven by environmentally unfriendly activities have taken the center stage of global development agendas. The importance of environmental sustainability is also reflected in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Green taxes have become pivotal to protecting the environment, revenue generation and achievement of the SDGs. Through a critical literature review, this paper explores the opportunities and challenges associated with green taxes with respect to revenue mobilization, protection of the environment and delivery of the SDGs. The paper gives an insight to green taxes, exploring the motives of green taxes and the possible implications for environmental sustainability, sustainable development, and attainment of the SDGs in the African context. Fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil and natural gases are fundamental sources of energy for African countries. Therefore, the continent faces a dilemma of how to ensure green economic growth, reduce environmental and climate change problems, and at the same time foster effective revenue mobilization. The review established that while green taxes can provide an opportunity for green transformation policy reforms and boost revenue mobilization to stimulate inclusive and sustainable growth and economic recovery from the COVID-19-induced economic recession, the taxes can increase inequality, heighten the cost of energy, and increase energy poverty for those dependent on fossil fuel for energy. The lack of affordability and access would compromise SDGs such as 7 and 1 (access to clean energy and poverty reduction, respectively). The taxes could lead to a disjointed value chain with consumers disadvantaged and an increase in black market activities as people seek cheaper but unsafe alternatives, indirectly increasing the social costs such as health risks and challenges, poverty, and unemployment.

The digital economy has risen dramatically in the global environment, and many developing countries, including African countries, have seen a spike in digital activity over recent years. The digital economy’s growth has resulted in an increase in digital financial services (DFS) in Africa and other developing regions. Since many African countries are under pressure to raise domestic revenue, taxing the digital economy has become a viable option. As a result, this study attempted to respond to the following questions: first, what is the link between DFS growth and digital inclusion in African countries? Second, what justifies the imposition of DFS taxes in Africa? Third, what are the potential consequences of DFS taxes in African countries? Using secondary data from the literature review and document analysis, a systematic technique for assessing or evaluating printed and electronic documents, and computer-based and internet-transmitted material, the study discovered that digital financial inclusion is driving financial inclusion on the African continent. The study also found that, despite several negative consequences associated with the growth of the digital economy, most African economic activities are informal and are being aided by various digital financial services. Therefore, it is equally crucial that when adopting digital finance taxes, care is taken to avoid excluding low-income earners from the financial sector and to take note of the usage, affordability, and distortive implications of taxation.

Digitalization has intensified globalization and economic interactivity between countries both developed and developing, increasing the complexity and lack of transparency in economic activities. The increase in digital transactions poses a remarkable challenge for tax authorities yet the digital economy is slowly replacing traditional commercialization and transactions. Conventional international tax legislation has not kept abreast with the growth and complexity of the digital economy and its accompanying challenges with respect to taxation. In view of the infant nature of digital tax legislation in African countries as well as the auspicious possibility of increasing tax revenue to fund public expenditure together with the probability of contradictory outcomes of digital tax policy, through a critical literature review this paper assesses digital taxation through direct digital service taxes (DSTs) in Africa. The findings were mixed. While the possibility of tax revenue maximization and improved economic growth were persuasive, the arguments pointing to negative externalities emanating from poor digital service tax policy design were equally pragmatic.

The abuse of transfer pricing by multinational enterprises (MNEs) is a topical issue the world over. Abusive transfer pricing results in the erosion of tax bases and profit shifting from countries with high tax rates to those with lower tax rates, thus enabling tax avoidance and evasion. Developing countries are argued to suffer most under the negative impacts of transfer pricing manipulation. This study investigates the strategies employed by MNEs to minimise their tax burden in developing countries. An understanding of the motives and strategies is fundamental in tax policy crafting and improvements that effectively respond to transfer pricing. Adopting the interpretivist research philosophy with the use of in-depth interviews with tax officers, tax consultants and Ministry of Finance Officials, the study established that amongst the transfer pricing schemes used by MNEs in Zimbabwe, the predominant one was the use of service fees. The most notable being management fees, this was a contribution to knowledge as this strategy was found to be scarcely discussed in literature and there was very little empirical evidence to back its existence. The study recommended use of targeted approaches by the revenue authority to minimise revenue losses through intragroup services. The findings serve as vital information for policymakers, revenue authorities and tax auditors.

Fintech and the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (industry 4.0) technologies have expanded the provision and uptake of digital financial services (DFSs) globally. Digital transformation in the financial industry intended to modify financial service provisioning by reducing the costs of accessing and challenges such as inaccessibility due to remoteness, not having a bank account, not having a credit history, or having erratic incomes. Digital financial inclusion (DFI) aims to ensure that financial services, such as deposits, payments, transfers, withdrawals, investments, accessing insurance and credit, checking account balances, receiving money, and making international remittances, are conducted conveniently, easily, safely, reliably, and affordably. DFI focuses on ensuring access to financial services through digital channels and platforms for individuals, businesses, and households, to promote financial inclusion for all stakeholders, especially previously financially excluded groups. Through a critical review of the literature, this study explores the opportunities and challenges of DFI or the adoption and use of DFS. The review unpacks the possible benefits of using DFSs, which include the broadening financial inclusion, increasing diversity and innovation in the financial services sector, attainment of the SDGs, reduction of poverty, increased economic growth, and minimization of the gender financial inclusion gap, as well as reduction in inequalities. The constraints include the inadequacy of digital infrastructure, taxes on DFS, literacy challenges, digital exclusion, poverty and the gender divide, risks, and lack of trust in the financial services sector. The study recommends appropriate regulation and oversight, literacy enhancement initiatives, investment in digital infrastructure, and increased consumer protection as measures to improve DFI in developing countries.