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Representatives from various Namibian government agencies, led by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) endorsed the Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker Tool as part of their efforts to combat illicit financial flows, a significant challenge undermining economic development and governance across Africa.
This endorsement occurred during the first piloting of the Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker Tool at a meeting in Windhoek, Namibia.
Organised by Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC)-ETTIM Department for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, and Industry and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the meeting brought together key Namibian government institutions to collaboratively use the tool and assess Namibia's national strategies on IFFs.
The delegates assessed indicators from Clusters 1-4 to evaluate their impact on combating illicit financial flows in Africa. Participants reviewed each indicator and scored based on effectiveness, with evidence backing every decision. The policy tracker captured these scores, enabling a structured evaluation.
The Anti-IFFs policy tracker tool draws upon the recommendations of various reports that have extensively documented procedures required to combat IFFs, including the High-Level Panel report on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa (commonly known as the Mbeki Panel Report) and recent reports like the High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability and Transparency (FACTI Panel report).
In her opening remarks, TJNA Executive Director Chenai Mukumba lauded the participants and working group in identifying critical vulnerabilities within financial systems, focusing on high-risk areas prone to IFFs in Namibia.
"The pilot phase aims to achieve several key objectives. Among them is the identification of critical vulnerabilities within the financial systems of the target countries, focusing on high-risk areas prone to IFFs. The phase will develop policy and institutional recommendations, offering strategies for reforms and administrative measures designed to combat IFFs more effectively," Ms Mukumba added.
In his remarks, Thulani Shongwe, the international tax officer at the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), emphasized the importance of the anti-IFFs policy tracker tool, adding that it presents a comprehensive methodology for monitoring and evaluating the performance of tax-based anti-IFFs policies across African countries.
"By piloting this tool, we aim to generate country-level disaggregated evidence to inform policy interventions tackling IFFs. The findings and recommendations from this pilot phase will form the basis for a comprehensive report to inform and guide future interventions in the ongoing battle against IFFs," Mr. Thulani said.
The Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker tool targets government institutions working on illicit financial flows, civil society organizations, and tax administration policymakers. It provides comprehensive, up-to-date information for tracking policy implementation and government actions on tax-based IFFs.
In his remarks, TJNA Policy Officer Francis Kairu highlighted the vital role of the Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker in safeguarding Africa's economies. He stressed that the tracker will enable governments to effectively monitor and combat IFFs, promoting transparency and ensuring that critical resources are directed towards sustainable development and the well-being of citizens.
"The Anti-IFFs Policy tracker is crucial for African countries, as it empowers governments to take action against IFFs, protecting their economies and ensuring resources are used for long-term development," Mr. Kairu added.
TJNA's approach is designed to provide an objective, standardized, and data-driven assessment, enabling stakeholders to identify policy gaps, track progress, and understand effective reforms.
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For further information about the anti IFFs policy tracker tool, please contact Francis Kairu at fkairu[@]taxjusticeafrica.net.