African Tax Administrators, Journalists Unite to Fight Financial Crime Wave
The coming months will reveal whether this innovative approach to combining media engagement with tax administration can deliver on its promising start.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso— In a significant move to combat illicit financial flows draining billions from African economies, tax administrators and journalists from across the continent gathered Tuesday in Burkina Faso's capital to forge an unprecedented alliance against tax evasion and financial corruption, writes Winston Mwale.
The two-day workshop (11-12, 2025), organised by the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), brings together tax communication specialists and journalists from multiple African nations, marking a decisive shift in how the continent approaches tax transparency and accountability.
"Every year, African countries lose billions of dollars to illicit financial flows," said Mamadou Sere, representing Burkina Faso's Minister of Economy and Finance.
"It is imperative that we strengthen our mechanisms to combat these practices and work together to put in place effective strategies to stem this financial haemorrhage that is holding back our development efforts."
The gathering at Ouagadougou's Sopatel Hotel Silmande represents the most comprehensive effort to date to unite Africa's tax administrators and media professionals in the fight against tax evasion and financial crimes.
It builds upon the foundation laid by the African Tax Media Network (ATMEN), established in 2018 to enhance tax-related journalism across the continent.
ATMEN Chairman Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh emphasised the critical role of journalism in reshaping the continent's approach to taxation.
"We are not merely participants at a meeting; we are part of a movement," Sengbeh told the assembled delegates.
"A movement to amplify the role of journalism in taxation, to bridge the divide between tax administrations and the media, and to ensure that African voices tell Africa's tax story from an African perspective."
The initiative comes at a crucial time for African nations struggling to finance development projects and essential public services. According to ATAF representatives, the continent's tax-to-GDP ratios remain significantly lower than global averages, hampering governments' ability to fund critical infrastructure and social programs.
Eugene Southgate, representing ATAF's Executive Secretary, highlighted the organization's achievements in building stronger tax administrations across Africa over the past 15 years.
"When tax policies are misunderstood or misrepresented, it leads to misconceptions, reduced compliance, and ultimately, revenue losses which then directly impact a country's ability to grow its economy to take care of its people," Southgate said.
The workshop's location in Burkina Faso carries particular significance.
The West African nation has recently intensified its efforts to strengthen tax administration and combat financial crimes.
The country's tax authority, Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI), has been at the forefront of implementing innovative approaches to tax collection and transparency.
EVOLUTION OF AFRICAN TAX MEDIA
The development of ATMEN since its inception in 2018 reflects the growing recognition of the media's role in tax administration.
Initially conceived during a meeting of 70 journalists and communication officers in Johannesburg, the network has evolved from an informal group into a structured organisation with a clear mandate.
"Between 2019 and 2023, ATMEN existed as a dream—an idea yearning for breath," Sengbeh explained.
The network's revival in 2023, supported by ATAF's communications team, led to significant achievements, including the publication of over 80 tax-related articles across various platforms during the ATAF Annual Meetings in South Africa and Rwanda.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The workshop also addresses the changing landscape of tax communication in the digital age.
Participants are exploring new methods of reaching taxpayers through social media, artificial intelligence, and other digital platforms.
This technological focus represents a significant shift from traditional approaches to tax administration communication.
"Today, communicators do not have a lack of how to communicate but deciding which media to use for which target audience," Southgate noted, highlighting the range of available channels from the internet and social media to television and AI-driven solutions.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Despite the optimistic tone of the gathering, participants acknowledge significant challenges ahead. These include:
- Limited access to tax-related information
- Technical complexities in tax reporting
- Communication gaps between tax authorities and media
- Need for capacity building among journalists covering tax matters
The workshop aims to address these challenges through targeted discussions and practical training sessions. Participants are developing strategies for effective tax storytelling and exploring best practices for tax transparency reporting.
REGIONAL IMPACT
The initiative's potential impact extends beyond individual nations. As African countries work to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), effective tax administration and transparency become increasingly crucial for regional economic integration.
"The media are essential partners in promoting tax transparency and encouraging positive change in our societies," Sere emphasised, highlighting the connection between effective tax communication and broader economic development goals.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
The workshop is expected to produce what participants are calling the "Burkina Faso Accord," a framework for continued collaboration between tax administrators and media professionals.
The accord will outline specific commitments and action items for both groups.
ATMEN's leadership has outlined several key objectives for the future:
- Strengthening collaboration between tax administrations and media
- Expanding membership across the continent
- Driving investigative reporting on tax matters
- Establishing ATMEN as the primary platform for tax communication in Africa
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The significance of this initiative is underscored by historical challenges in African tax administration.
Southgate shared a personal perspective, recounting his experiences growing up in apartheid South Africa and the role of journalism in exposing injustice.
"At the height of the civil unrest in South Africa, I was the editor of the school magazine, which was banned by the apartheid government," Southgate recalled, drawing parallels between past struggles for justice and current efforts for tax transparency.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
The workshop's immediate practical implications include:
- Enhanced training for journalists covering tax matters
- Improved communication channels between tax authorities and media
- Development of standardized approaches to tax reporting
- Creation of regional networks for information sharing
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The initiative has drawn attention from international organizations monitoring tax transparency and accountability in Africa. While primarily African-led, the program benefits from global best practices in tax administration and financial journalism.
MEASURING SUCCESS
Participants have established several metrics to measure the initiative's success:
- Increased quantity and quality of tax-related reporting
- Improved public understanding of tax policies
- Enhanced cooperation between tax authorities and media
- Higher rates of voluntary tax compliance
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
Host country Burkina Faso sees the workshop as an opportunity to showcase its commitment to tax reform and transparency.
Local officials emphasized the importance of building trust between tax authorities and citizens through effective communication.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
The initiative's success could have significant implications for local communities across Africa.
Improved tax collection and administration could lead to better funding for essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
EXPERT ANALYSIS
Tax administration experts present at the workshop emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum after the event concludes.
They stress that sustainable change requires ongoing commitment from both media professionals and tax administrators.
As the workshop continues through Tuesday, participants remain focused on developing practical solutions to long-standing challenges in African tax administration.
The unprecedented collaboration between media professionals and tax administrators represents a significant step toward greater transparency and accountability in African tax systems.
The success of this initiative could serve as a model for similar efforts in other regions facing comparable challenges in tax administration and communication. As one participant noted, the workshop's real impact will be measured not in words spoken but in actions taken in the months and years ahead.
For African nations seeking to strengthen their tax systems and combat illicit financial flows, the Ouagadougou workshop represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
The coming months will reveal whether this innovative approach to combining media engagement with tax administration can deliver on its promising start.