British public paying £20m to train tax collectors in Ethiopia
Scheme meant to reduce dependence on aid, but ministers told money would be better spent on UK system
Amy Gibbons
Political Correspondent
Foreign aid, Ethiopia
09 November 2025 4:00pm GMT
The British public is footing a £20m bill to train tax collectors in Ethiopia, The Telegraph can disclose.
With Rachel Reeves thought to be preparing a tax-raising Budget at home, the Government is investing millions of pounds in creating a more “business-friendly” system in the east African nation.
The “Tax Transformation Programme” – funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – is intended to help Ethiopia raise more revenue from its population so it can become less dependent on aid.
The programme’s aims include improving voluntary compliance, training staff and creating “a tax environment that encourages business”.
Critics told ministers to refocus their efforts on “taxpayers at home”, suggesting the money would be better spent helping the Treasury improve the system in the UK.
It comes after The Telegraph revealed British aid was being used for a string of projects that have become mired in claims of corruption and waste – while many purportedly green programmes seemingly have nothing to do with the environment.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/20 ... in-ethiop/
