Should African leaders pay taxes?

As a starting point, African governments should adopt national strategies that set the terms on which their natural resources will be developed and link these strategies to plans for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

These strategies must identify extractive projects that can generate more jobs through linkages with the local economy. Processing natural resources before export can also bring extra value. Africa cannot build dynamic equitable growth while extractive projects operate within enclaves.

The responsibility of seeing Africa an independent continent doesn't mean the elite are exempted from the job. In Africa, it's a taboo to see a leader of the nation paying taxes.

To my surprise, my experience in Europe and USA proved contrary. Her majesty Queen Elizabeth pays taxes.

In 1992, The Queen volunteered to pay income tax and capital gains tax, and since 1993 her personal income has been taxable as for any other taxpayer. The Queen has always been subject to Value Added Tax and pays local rates on a voluntary basis.

President Barak Obama pays tax and his returns are published. The Internal Revenue Service makes sure the returns are submitted in time and are credible.

Both leaders (Queen Elizabeth and President Obama) come from very rich countries and yet they pay taxes, yet Africa, a continent that is begging from these countries has leaders who cannot pay tax and are comfortable with such status.

This question nagging my little brain is; why is it that in Africa we don't see the goodness of being exemplary and serving our people with pride?

Think of African governments where in some instances we can have over 300 members of parliament and all of them import vehicles duty free.

According to reports, President Barak Obama and his wife, Michelle, paid more than US$93,000 in federal taxes last year on an adjusted gross income of more than US$477,000, according to tax returns released by the White House.

The current president of Tanzania Mr John Magufuli has set a revolutionary tone to all African leaders. His stance against corruption and economic recovery has shown that Africa is able to stand on its own by standing on 'viable principles'.

Mr Magufuli was nicknamed "The Bulldozer" when he was a minister for his energetic road-building drive and reputation for honesty as minister; he stood on promises to boost economic performance and, like the opposition, fight corruption.