A network of civil society organizations, founded with the united effort of leading tax justice voices across Africa, is raising concerns over the persistent rise in illicit financial flows out of the continent.
Key continental bodies such as the African Union have, on a number of occasions, pointed out the huge fiscal gaps created by the continuous cycle of much-needed revenue flowing illicitly out of a continent which is in dire need of funds for development.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that Africa loses as much as $60 billion each year in illicit financial flows.
However, Executive Director of Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), Chenai Mukumba, says the issue of illicit financial flows deserves more attention, as it is a matter that all Africans should be "worried" about.
“Really what it speaks to is revenue that's being generated from resources that are within our continent, so statistics about the amount of money that we lose as a continent range from the initial estimates of $50 billion a year that was identified in 2015 to now, more recent statistics that show that it's close to $90 billion a year. all of us should be concerned is because all of this money that we lose is money that could be invested into key areas within our economies, within our societies,” she said.
The Tax Justice Network Africa also asserts that tax exemptions are becoming another major revenue leakage point for many African countries. It says a cost-benefit analysis will be needed to plug these revenue losses.
"At the national level, we need to strengthen our legislation. We need to strengthen our institutions. We need to build the capacity, for example, of revenue authorities,” Mrs Chenai further stated.
Alongside leading researchers, policymakers, campaigners, and civil society organisations, TJNA says it is mobilising a movement to comprehensively transform tax policies, challenge harmful investment practices, improve international tax transparency, and restore the sovereignty of natural resources to African countries.
TJNA is the leading Pan-African civil society network dedicated to issues of Tax justice.
Latest Stories
-
Akufo-Addo, Asantehene commission Prempeh I International Airport, Kumasi
52 seconds -
We are confident about board meeting in June on Ghana’s second review – IMF
14 mins -
Eugene Osei Tutu: Who can lay claim to Kumasi International Airport- Mahama or Akufo-Addo?
23 mins -
Mbappe confirms he leaves Paris St-Germain
30 mins -
CAA Region II Athletics Championships will be properly organised – Dr Baah-Nuakoh
52 mins -
Over 185 state bungalows for public servants near completion in Ashanti Region
53 mins -
I want scouts, agents to believe there are better players in Africa than me – Mohammed Kudus
1 hour -
NPP’s Mpohor treasurer arrested for allegedly aiding the registration of a minor
2 hours -
Davido hints at retirement after next album
2 hours -
Dr Baah-Nuakoh chairs Ghana’s organisation of Athletics Championships next month
2 hours -
Speaker of Parliament has not breached Standing Orders – Dafeamekpor
2 hours -
Ghana Cocoa Board refunds $250m loan procured from ADB for irrigation in cocoa farms
3 hours -
6 out of 10 registered deaths in 2022 were males – Births and Deaths Registry
3 hours -
Prof. Kofi Abotsi to deliver keynote at ECOWAS Court of Justice Conference
3 hours -
MTN Ghana Foundation inaugurates new Accident and Emergency Centre for Bawjiase Polyclinic
3 hours