Prof. Attiya Waris

Professor Attiya is a distinguished scholar and advocate in the field of fiscal law and policy. She holds a PhD in Law and is recognized as the only Professor of Fiscal Law and Policy in Eastern and Central Africa. Her academic journey includes degrees from the University of Nairobi, University of London, University of Pretoria, and University of Lancaster. Fluent in English, Kiswahili, and French, Professor Waris has taught in various countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom.

At the University of Nairobi, she has held significant roles such as Director of Research and Enterprise and Acting Deputy Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her leadership in the Committee on Fiscal Studies led to the pioneering agreement between the University and the Kenya Revenue Authority for data sharing, marking a global first between a university and a revenue agency . Professor Waris’s expertise extends to international platforms; she was appointed the UN Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights in 2021 and serves as a Commissioner on the Lancet-O’Neill Commission on Racism and Structural Discrimination in Global Health.

Her scholarly contributions include the groundbreaking book “Tax and Development” (2013), which links taxation to human rights, and “Financing Africa” (2019), the first publication to map African fiscal systems. Professor Waris has been instrumental in founding organizations such as the African Tax Researchers Network and Tax Justice Network Africa, and she actively mentors emerging researchers globally.

Famous Quote

Knowledge allows us to make decisions while fully equipped. Making the world a better place requires fiscal knowledge to be placed at the center of all discussions in order to achieve a consensus that has a real impact on the daily lives of people.

— Prof. Attiya Waris

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