PRESS RELEASE
TJNA launches 2026–2030 strategy to advance a transformative tax justice agenda in and for Africa
Dakar, Senegal, 1 October 2026 - Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) has launched its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, setting out a five-year agenda to tackle illicit financial flows, advance fair taxation and strengthen Africa’s ability to turn its wealth into development and shared prosperity.
Launched during the 14th Pan-African Conference on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation in Dakar, the strategy connects taxation with stronger public services, health financing, climate justice and reduced inequality.
Jean Mballa Mballa, Chairperson of TJNA’s Executive Council, called for a change in how people understand and talk about taxation. Speaking during the launch, he challenged stakeholders to engage children, parents and communities in seeing tax as a means of mobilising resources for development and improving lives.
He emphasised that TJNA’s advocacy should help address Africa’s persistent paradox - a continent with immense wealth whose people continue to experience poverty. Changing public understanding of taxation, he argued, is part of ensuring that Africa’s resources contribute to its development.
The new strategy responds to that challenge by combining advocacy for fairer international tax rules with action to strengthen progressive taxation and public accountability within African countries. It seeks to ensure that countries retain more of the value generated in their economies and use public resources equitably.
Presenting the strategy, Nelly Busingye, TJNA’s Partnership and Institutional Learning Manager, outlined seven interconnected priorities:
- Tax and the International Financial Architecture, strengthening Africa’s voice in global tax governance and tackling illicit financial flows.
- Tax, Trade and Investment, challenging harmful incentives and unfair agreements while supporting productive economies.
- Tax, Natural Resource Governance and Climate Justice, ensuring that resource wealth and climate finance deliver public and community benefits.
- Tax, Equity and Shared Prosperity, advancing progressive and gender-responsive tax systems.
- Tax and Health, supporting taxes that reduce harmful consumption and strengthen sustainable health financing.
- Partnership, Networking and Member Engagement, strengthening collective action across the network.
- Organisational Development and Sustainability, building the institutional resilience needed for lasting impact.
Busingye highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration with members and clearer connections between national advocacy and regional and global engagement. She also stressed the need for TJNA to remain resilient and responsive as the funding landscape changes.
The strategy places particular emphasis on African influence in international tax cooperation, including the United Nations process. TJNA will support evidence, advocacy and coalitions that advance fairer taxing rights, greater transparency and stronger action against corporate tax abuse.
It will also strengthen scrutiny of tax incentives, investment agreements and natural resource governance, while advancing feminist tax justice and accountability for health financing.
Reflecting on the network’s journey, Alvin Mosioma, TJNA’s Co-founder and Founding Executive Director, recognised the collective effort behind almost two decades of work.
“When I look back at where we started, I think of it as planting a tree. We planted it knowing that the fruit would come later, benefiting our children, our grandchildren and generations to come. Today, the tree we planted almost twenty years ago is bearing fruit,” Mosioma said, celebrating the network’s growth and the collective effort that has sustained it.
Chenai Mukumba, TJNA’s Executive Director, acknowledged the contributions of the different stakeholders involved in developing the strategy. She thanked partners for their patience, recognising that the process had taken longer than anticipated but stressing the importance of taking the time needed to get it right.
TJNA will implement the plan through African-led research, policy advocacy, campaigns, capacity strengthening and member-led action. Its continental platforms will support parliamentary engagement, evidence sharing and cooperation across countries.
By 2030, the network aims to contribute to stronger African fiscal sovereignty, reduced revenue leakages, more equitable and accountable tax systems, and improved financing for public services and economic transformation.
ENDS
About Tax Justice Network Africa
Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) is a pan-African, membership-driven network that was founded in 2007 at the World Social Forum. TJNA was established in response to a central African development challenge: while the continent holds vast natural resources, human potential and economic possibilities, many African countries continue to experience poverty, inequality, debt pressures and limited public investment in essential services.
Today, TJNA brings together 53 national and regional member organisations across 26 African countries. It works with civil society organisations, national platforms, regional partners, continental institutions, parliamentarians, researchers, media, social movements and global allies to advance fair, accountable, transparent and people-centred tax and fiscal systems.
Media contact
Jephiter Tsamwi
Communications, Campaigns & Outreach Manager
Tax Justice Network Africa
Email: jtsamwi@taxjusticeafrica.net
WhatsApp: +263733854681
