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In this paper the authors provide an analysis of the extent of tax harmonisation (including tax rates and tax policy) in the SADC and also assess robust levels of tax harmonisation on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. Anecdotal evidence shows that the environment in which multinationals operate in the SADC is characterised by tax information asymmetry, corruption, inefficiency, lack of specialised skills and tax policy uncertainty. All such factors reinforce each other, creating a situation in which countries tend to be inward looking (focusing domestically), striving to maximise FDI inflows and tax revenue from their respective tax bases. This can result in costly tax competition, a governmental strategy of attracting capital and high value human resources by minimising the overall taxation level (Letete, 2012). For instance, countries in the SADC can lower their tax rates on income earned by foreigners within their borders, so as to attract FDI from such parties. The argument is that without harmonised or co-operative regimes, such a practice may lead to an inefficient tax level or what the Tax Justice Network-Africa and ActionAid International (2012) termed the race to the bottom. This contrasts with a common SADC practice (on taxation or FDI) as outlined in the 2002 MOU on taxation or the 2006 finance and investment protocol (FIP). Consequently, the ability for countries to attract FDI through taxation is largely based on a country-by-country initiative, rather than regional initiative. Given that countries may advertently or inadvertently gravitate towards tax competition, the paper argues the increased need for better coordination in taxable activities, towards improved economic activities and FDI.