Better-designed taxes on motoring can make African countries cleaner, safer and more productive

Increasing vehicle use throughout Africa has potentially large social, economic and environmental costs, particularly in urban areas caused by congestion, accidents and pollution. New research suggests that vehicle taxes in the region commonly fail to address these issues, which are applied predominantly to vehicle imports rather than ownership or usage. Instead, a progressive recalibration of taxes can improve health and transport systems, in many cases raising much-needed revenue for domestic priorities.