The Scaling Up Tax Justice (SCUT IV) Project Kick-Off Meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya from 8–10 April 2026, marked the official launch of the fourth phase of a flagship initiative led by Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA).
The meeting brought together civil society organisations and implementing partners from Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Tunisia, and Uganda, it provided a platform to align on strategy, implementation approaches for the 2026–2028 programme period and strengthen collaboration.
SCUT IV (2026–2028) under its call on “Advancing advocacy and public discourse leading to financial integrity and domestic resource mobilisation,” builds on the achievements of three previous phases that have significantly strengthened civil society engagement in tax policy across Africa. From influencing national tax reforms to amplifying African voices in global tax debates, the programme has steadily expanded its reach and impact.
The new phase consolidates this progress while sharpening its focus. With five core country partners, SCUT IV aims to deepen collaboration, enhance effectiveness, and deliver more measurable outcomes in a rapidly evolving global and regional context.
In her opening remarks, TJNA’s Partnership and Institutional Learning Manager, Ms. Nelly Busingye, highlighted the significance of a fourth phase in a tightening global funding environment. “Securing continued support for SCUT IV requires not only demonstrating strong past performance but also articulating a compelling case for deeper impact and innovation moving forward,” she noted
While there is growing momentum for reforming global tax systems and increasing opportunities for African voices to influence these processes, several challenges remain.
Key concerns included shrinking civic space in some countries, limited political prioritisation of tax justice issues, and a constrained global funding environment. TJNA and its partners committed to strengthening resource mobilisation efforts at the national level, improving documentation of policy wins, and leveraging existing networks and partnerships to maximise impact.
Presenting the SCUT IV vision and context, TJNA’s Senior Policy Officer, Mr. Ishmael Zulu, highlighted the achievements across previous phases include policy reforms in extractive sector taxation, influence on tax treaty negotiations, strengthened parliamentary engagement through APNIFFT caucuses, successful public interest litigation, and expanded media and civil society engagement across the continent.
“African voices remain underrepresented in global tax governance, allowing institutions and frameworks dominated by the Global North to shape rules that often undermine development outcomes for African countries. SCUT IV is designed to strategically position African CSOs to engage more effectively at national, regional, and global levels, particularly as momentum builds around reforms within the United Nations tax negotiations,” Mr Zulu noted
The role of African civil society in shaping tax systems that work for the continent proved to be crucial in the discussions. Despite the significant impact of illicit financial flows on African economies, engagement on tax issues remains limited among civil society actors.
SCUT IV seeks to address this gap by equipping organisations with the tools, knowledge, and platforms needed to influence policy at national, regional, and global levels. By fostering collaboration and amplifying evidence-based advocacy, the initiative aims to ensure that African perspectives are not only represented but actively shape global tax governance.
“The work of TJNA and SCUT is a fundamental contribution to the Africa we want to see,” TJNA’s Executive Director, Ms Chenai Mukumba highlighted the growing importance of African‑led solutions in a volatile global context.
She emphasised that the recognition accorded to SCUT IV is a direct reflection of the credibility and impact of work being done at the national level. She called on partners to maintain the highest standards of academic rigour, cohesion, and responsiveness, ensuring that TJNA and its partners continue to produce irrefutable evidence and policy‑relevant advocacy.
As SCUT IV enters its implementation phase, the kick‑off meeting laid a strong operational, strategic, and collaborative foundation for advancing fair, transparent, and inclusive tax systems that support Africa’s development ambitions.
For more information about the SCUT Project, please contact Ishmael Zulu at izulu(@)taxjusticeafrica.net.
