ZRA Launches Research Data Lab
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has launched a Secure Research Data Lab, a pioneering initiative aimed at strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and enhancing evidence-based tax policy.
The state-of-the-art facility will provide accredited researchers with access to anonymised, quality-assured tax administrative data in a secure, controlled environment. By doing so, it is expected to advance research that informs tax policy, administration, and public debate in Zambia and beyond.
Speaking at the official launch, ZRA Commissioner General Dingani Banda described the Data Lab as a strategic investment in the Authority’s ability to make smarter, evidence-driven decisions.
“This initiative will improve the quality of public debate on tax matters by anchoring it on empirical evidence,” he said. “It represents our commitment to building stronger, data-based tax systems that support Zambia’s national development goals.”
The project has been established with support from the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER). Amina Ebrahim, Research Fellow at UNU-WIDER, said the ZRA Data Lab marks a milestone in institutional collaboration.
“The establishment of this facility lays the foundation for stronger cooperation and continued support towards Zambia’s inclusive growth and resilient public financial management,” she noted.
The ZRA Research Data Lab becomes the third of its kind on the African continent, following the successful implementation of similar facilities in South Africa and Uganda.
By enabling researchers to conduct advanced analysis with secure access to high-quality tax data, the ZRA aims to strengthen both policy-making and accountability, ultimately driving sustainable economic progress.
